General Knowledge of Assam - Complete Guide

If you are planning to visit Assam, understanding its month-wise and region-wise festival schedule helps you experience the state in its most vibrant form — whether it’s dancing to the tunes of Bihu in April or witnessing the mystical Ambubachi Mela in June at the revered Kamakhya Temple.

Let’s take a look at the Festival Calendar of Assam, month by month and region by region, to help you plan your cultural journey.

Festivals of Assam in January – Harvest Joy and Cultural Fervor

• Chandubi Festival (Kamrup District): Celebrated from January 1–5, organized by the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council on the banks of Chandubi Beel. The Rabha and Hajong communities showcase their ethnic art, food, and dance.

• Magh Bihu (Across Assam): Mid-January marks this famous harvest festival, symbolizing joy, feasts, and community spirit.

• Monikut Utsav (Statewide): Celebrated on the first day of the Assamese month of Magh with rituals and traditional events.

• Me-Dam-Me-Phi (Statewide, especially Upper Assam): Observed on January 31 by the Ahom community to honor ancestors — a sacred festival of remembrance and gratitude.

• Jonbeel Mela (Morigaon District): A historic fair dating back to the 15th century where the ancient barter system is still practiced — a unique experience for any visitor.

Festivals of Assam in February – Cultural Colors and Tribal Traditions

• Ali-Ai-Ligang (Dhemaji & Majuli): Celebrated by the Mishing community on the first Wednesday of Phagun (mid-February). Traditional dance, music, and food mark the occasion.

• Karbi Youth Festival (Diphu, Karbi Anglong): A vibrant celebration of Karbi culture, with traditional performances and art exhibitions.

• Ajan Pir Dargah Urus (Sivasagar District): A religious event paying tribute to Ajan Pir, the first Muslim saint who composed Assamese Zikirs.

• Maha Shivaratri Mela (Sivasagar): Pilgrims from across India gather at the historic Siva Dol temple, turning the area into a spiritual fairground.

Festivals of Assam in March – Spring of Colors and Devotion

• Doul Utsav (Barpeta): Known as the Festival of Colours in Assam, this celebration fills Barpeta with music, color, and joy — similar to Holi but with deep Vaishnavite traditions inspired by Srimanta Sankardeva.

Festivals of Assam in April – Assamese New Year and Spring Festivities

• Bohag Bihu (Rongali Bihu) – Across Assam: The most popular Assamese festival marking the New Year and start of the agricultural season. The entire state comes alive with folk songs, dances, and feasts.

• Sanken Festival (Bokajan, Karbi Anglong): Celebrated in Buddhist villages from April 14–17, featuring rituals, water sprinkling, and traditional drumbeats.

• Bohaggiyo Bishu (By the Deori Community): A seven-day festival of joy and dance celebrating spring and prosperity.

Festivals of Assam in May – Spiritual Serenity

• Buddha Purnima (Namphake Village, Dibrugarh): Celebrated by the Tai Phake community, it marks the birth of Lord Buddha with prayers, offerings, and feasts at monasteries.

Festivals of Assam in June – Mystical Monsoon Celebrations

• Ambubachi Mela (Guwahati, Kamakhya Temple): A world-famous Tantric fertility festival, symbolizing the yearly menstruation of Goddess Kamakhya. Thousands of devotees and spiritual seekers gather here every June.

• Phalaharini Kali Puja (Statewide): A night of devotion to Goddess Kali, celebrated with traditional offerings and rituals.

Festivals of Assam in July–August – Agricultural and Ancestral Worship

• Bathow Puja (BTAD Region): The Bodo-Kachari people worship Bathow Bwrai, identified with Lord Shiva. The Kherai dance ritual is its highlight.

• Karam Puja (Tea Garden Areas): A celebration of youth and fertility, observed by Assam’s tea tribes through songs, dances, and offerings to the Karam deity.

Festivals of Assam in September–October – Autumnal Devotion and Cultural Fairs

• Durga Puja (Barak Valley): The biggest festival in Barak Valley, celebrated with grandeur and devotion by Bengali-speaking communities.

• Kati Bihu (Statewide): Celebrated in mid-October, symbolizing prayers for a good harvest season.

• Kojagara Puja & Lakshmi Puja (October): Nights filled with lamps and prayers to Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity.

• Falcon Festival (Umrangso, West Karbi Anglong): A colorful festival promoting wildlife conservation, with music, dance, and eco-awareness.

• Raas Mahotsav (Majuli): A spiritual theatre celebrating Lord Krishna’s Raas Leela, performed in the Sattras (Vaishnavite monasteries), attracting devotees from around the world.

Festivals of Assam in November – Tea and Cultural Tourism

• Assam Tea Festival (Jorhat): A winter festival celebrating Assam’s global tea heritage with tea garden tours, golf, and cultural events.

• Raas Mahotsav (Nalbari): Another version of the Raas festival with colorful decorations and Krishna-themed plays.

Festivals of Assam in December – Tribal Pride and Harmony

• Judima Festival (Haflong, Dima Hasao): A lively showcase of Dimasa music, crafts, and folk art, centered around the traditional rice wine “Judima.”

• Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur (Dhubri): Observed at Gurdwara Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, bringing together thousands from all faiths.

• Dehing Patkai Festival (Tinsukia): A grand event combining adventure sports, eco-tourism, tea heritage, and wildlife exploration.

• Bare Saharia Bhaona (Sonitpur District): A unique dramatic event held once every five years, featuring multiple Bhonas performed under one roof.

Conclusion

Assam’s festival calendar is not just a series of events — it is the heartbeat of the land. Each month brings a different rhythm, a new melody of traditions, faiths, and colors. Whether you are a cultural enthusiast, a photographer, or a traveler seeking authentic experiences, planning your visit around these festivals ensures that you witness Assam at its most vibrant and soulful best.

Festivals of Assam Summary