Nakerbari Village: A Floral Tradition in Assam's Bohag Festival

Celebrating the Fragrance of Keteki Flowers

Nalbari, Apr 13: As the Assamese month of Bohag heralds the arrival of spring, a serene village in Nalbari is gaining attention for its fragrant tradition that embodies community spirit and nostalgia.

Nakerbari village, located by the Morapagladia River, has been celebrated for its enchanting aroma of keteki (fragrant screw pine) flowers that fill the air during this season.

From the month of Chot until mid-Jeth, the Gopal Temple area bursts into life with blooming keteki, which were once plentiful in the region.

Villagers reminisce about how the temple's surroundings were once lush with keteki trees, their unique fragrance defining the village's character. Although the number of these trees has diminished over time, their cultural and emotional importance remains strong.

Uddhab Chandra Thakuriya, a local activist dedicated to social, cultural, and environmental causes, emphasized that the Gopal Temple has long been associated with the beauty of keteki blooms. He mentioned that villagers have reached out to the Nalbari district authorities, advocating for the protection of the remaining trees.

“We are fortunate to have these trees. The keteki trees near Gopal Mandir are among the largest in lower Assam. There are also some at Dubi Devalay, where they have been preserved with barricades. Our trees are more significant, and they hold a special place in our hearts,” he remarked.

During Bohag, keteki flowers play a vital role in local customs. Guests at community gatherings are traditionally greeted with these flowers, and a bloom is offered daily at the Gopal Temple during evening prayers.

This tradition continues to draw visitors from all over Assam, many of whom come to Nakerbari specifically to admire the flowering trees in the temple grounds.

“When the keteki flowers bloom, their fragrance permeates the entire area,” Thakuriya noted, adding that the scent can be detected from nearly a kilometer away. “If you keep a keteki flower at home, its fragrance can linger for at least a week,” he added.

For over a century, the village's youth organization has been committed to preserving the keteki trees. However, residents now stress the urgent need for enhanced conservation efforts to protect what remains.

Thakuriya highlighted the importance of conserving the flower in line with tradition. He mentioned that he had previously approached the administration, but progress was stalled due to bureaucratic delays.

“Recently, I met with the BDO and even presented him with a keteki flower, urging him to take action for its conservation. While the issue falls under the village committee's jurisdiction, a small financial boost from the government could significantly aid in its preservation,” he concluded.

As the Bohag festivities unfold, Nakerbari serves as a poignant reminder of how tradition and nature intertwine to shape cultural identity, even as the fading floral legacy calls for renewed efforts in protection.