Assam · April

Rongali Bihu (Bohag Bihu)

Assam's spring new-year festival of Bihu dance, husori troupes and Goru Bihu.

Assamese women performing the Bihu dance during Rongali Bihu, Assam
Photograph: AditiB08 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
By Living Roots ExpeditionsReviewed July 2026Northeast India specialists since 2015

Quick facts

Festival
Rongali Bihu (Bohag Bihu)
State
Assam
Place
Statewide (Guwahati, Jorhat, Sivasagar)
Month
April
Tribe
Assamese
Duration
7 days (mid-April, starting 14 April)
Best for
CultureDancePhotographyCuisine

01

About Rongali Bihu (Bohag Bihu)

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Editorial overview of Rongali Bihu (Bohag Bihu) pending fact-check.

02

Festival highlights at a glance

  • Bihu dance performed by young women in muga silk mekhela-chador
  • Husori troupes visiting homes with dhol, pepa (buffalo-horn pipe) and taal
  • Goru Bihu — the cow-worship day that opens the festival
  • Traditional pithas, laru and jolpan sweet spreads
  • Bihu geet — courtship songs of the Brahmaputra plains

03

Why visit Rongali Bihu (Bohag Bihu)?

  • Assam's most joyful festival, marking the agricultural new year
  • Open-air Bihu functions in every town and city — easy to attend
  • Excellent introduction to Assamese cuisine, silk and folk music
  • Comfortable pre-monsoon weather across the Brahmaputra valley

04

Festival history

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Origins and historical timeline of Rongali Bihu (Bohag Bihu) pending fact-check.

05

Dates and venue

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Annual dates and official venue for Rongali Bihu (Bohag Bihu) pending verification with Assam Tourism.

06

Tribe and community

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Assamese community profile pending fact-check.

07

Cultural significance

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Cultural and ritual significance of Rongali Bihu (Bohag Bihu) pending review.

08

Main attractions

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Headline attractions list for Rongali Bihu (Bohag Bihu) pending verification.

09

How to reach

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Travel routes to Statewide (Guwahati, Jorhat, Sivasagar) pending verification.

10

Permit information

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Current Inner Line Permit / Protected Area Permit requirements for Assam pending verification against the state tourism portal.

11

Weather and best time to visit

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Typical weather notes for Statewide (Guwahati, Jorhat, Sivasagar) in April pending verification.

12

Accommodation options

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Accommodation guidance for Statewide (Guwahati, Jorhat, Sivasagar) pending verification.

13

Photography tips

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Photography guidance for Rongali Bihu (Bohag Bihu) pending review.

14

Nearby attractions

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Nearby attractions near Statewide (Guwahati, Jorhat, Sivasagar) pending verification.

16

Responsible festival etiquette

Rongali Bihu (Bohag Bihu) is a living cultural event hosted by the Assamese community. Please attend as a respectful guest, not a spectator.

  • Always ask permission before photographing elders, priests or performers.
  • Dress modestly — cover shoulders and knees, especially around ceremonial spaces.
  • Follow instructions from community elders and event organisers.
  • Do not touch ritual objects, altars or sacred poles.
  • Carry your waste back; avoid single-use plastics at venues.
  • Buy directly from local artisans and homestays to support the host community.

17

Frequently asked questions

When is Rongali Bihu (Bohag Bihu) held?+

Rongali Bihu (Bohag Bihu) is celebrated in April each year at Statewide (Guwahati, Jorhat, Sivasagar), Assam. It typically runs for 7 days (mid-April, starting 14 April). Exact dates vary annually — check the state tourism board nearer the date.

Which community celebrates Rongali Bihu (Bohag Bihu)?+

Rongali Bihu (Bohag Bihu) is celebrated by the Assamese community of Assam.

Do I need a special permit to attend Rongali Bihu (Bohag Bihu)?+

Indian nationals visiting Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and parts of Manipur require an Inner Line Permit (ILP). Foreign nationals require a Protected Area Permit (PAP). Check official state portals before travel.

Where can I stay during Rongali Bihu (Bohag Bihu)?+

Options range from state-run tourist lodges to homestays and boutique camps. Accommodation books out months in advance for marquee festivals; reserve early.

Is Rongali Bihu (Bohag Bihu) suitable for families?+

Yes — the festival is family-friendly. Be mindful of crowd density on main performance days and dress modestly out of respect for community traditions.

18

Sample itinerary

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A sample 3–5 day itinerary covering arrival, festival days at Statewide (Guwahati, Jorhat, Sivasagar) and one day for nearby sightseeing will be added once routes are walked and verified with local operators.

19

Tour packages

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Curated tour packages for Rongali Bihu (Bohag Bihu) will be listed once partnerships with registered Assam operators are confirmed. Pricing, inclusions and booking contacts are intentionally not generated.

Continue exploring

More festivals of Assam

Performing traditions

Folk dances of Assam

Travel with us

Expeditions featuring Rongali Bihu (Bohag Bihu)

See the full Festivals of Assam guide for the state-wide calendar, expeditions and travel advice.

Plan this trip

Travel to Rongali Bihu (Bohag Bihu) with us.

Permits, transport, vetted homestays and on-ground guides — write to us and we'll shape an itinerary around Rongali Bihu (Bohag Bihu).

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