Celebrating Bhogali Bihu: A Cultural Revival Across Assam

The Essence of Bhogali Bihu

Traditionally, Bhogali Bihu was a quiet affair, devoid of loudspeakers or flashy lights. It emerged subtly in rural fields, where villagers gathered straw, bamboo, and hay to construct the bhela ghar, while melodious Bihu geet resonated through the crisp winter air.

Known as meji, this temporary structure was never intended to endure. It served as a cozy night shelter and became the focal point of Uruka festivities, where shared meals, laughter, folk songs, and the warmth of community thrived.

Over the years, this simple hut has transformed into a significant cultural symbol. Across Assam, bhela ghars have evolved from their practical roots into striking artistic expressions, crafted from bamboo and straw, infused with imagination and collective memory. What began as a basic shelter has turned into a storytelling canvas.

Bhogali Bihu 2026: A Year of Reflection

This year's Bhogali Bihu, celebrated in 2026, is particularly noteworthy. From Nalbari to Dibrugarh, Gaolpara to Raha, and Guwahati, bhela ghars have transcended mere festive decorations to become spaces of narrative.

These structures embody heritage and hope, resilience and remembrance, attracting crowds who pause to celebrate and reflect.

Nalbari

In Sandheli Makrapara village, the Navaprajanma Bhogali Bihu Udjapan Samiti has recreated the grandeur of Assam’s royal history with a Kareng Ghar-themed bhela ghar. Constructed over two months using bamboo, straw, and traditional methods, this structure symbolizes the layered significance of the Ahom palace, showcasing power rooted in simplicity.

A local youth shared, “We have all been working together for over two months. In today’s mechanical world, traditions are fading. This Bhelaghar is our way of preserving farming, community, and our identity.” A solo dance competition and tribute to Zubeen Garg, a cultural icon, are also part of the celebrations.

In Bausiyapara, Bhogali Bihu 2026 carries a poignant weight. For the first time, the festival is observed without Garg, prompting the village to honor him through their creations.

A towering 30-foot guitar, made from paddy straw and bamboo, has been collaboratively built by the village's youth and elders.

One local remarked, “This is our first Bhogali Bihu without Zubeen da. He may not be with us, but his memory lives on. It took 20 days and 15–20 people to complete this guitar.”

Perhaps the most inspiring story comes from Bormurikanar near the Pagladiya embankment, where Harshita Devi constructed a boat-shaped meji entirely by herself.

Despite lacking formal education and resources, Harshita turned a childhood dream of riding a boat into a symbolic bamboo and straw structure. It took her five days, drawing inspiration from books and mobile phones, fueled by determination.

“People laughed when I said I wanted to make a boat. They didn’t believe me,” she recalled. Instead of burning her creations, she allows them to decompose naturally or dismantles them respectfully.

In previous years, she crafted a stilt house and a double-storey structure. This year’s boat stands as a quiet landmark, illustrating that Bhogali Bihu is also about personal expression.

In Nalbari town’s Japarkuchi area, over 60 households collaborated to build a Rang Ghar-inspired Bhelaghar using more than 40 bamboo poles and straw.

Constructed mostly at night over 15 days, this structure aims to introduce children to Assam’s architectural heritage. “Every year, we choose a theme. Last year, it was human–elephant conflict. This time, Rang Ghar, so the younger generation understands our culture,” explained a resident.

The structure will be preserved for public viewing, reinforcing the notion that some symbols deserve continuity beyond ritual fire.

Goalpara and Dibrugarh: Unique Celebrations

Goalpara

In Nayapara of Shimolitola, Goalpara, this year’s Bhogali Bihu is crowned with a giant Jaapi-shaped Bhelaghar, soaring over 100 feet high.

Constructed by the Nayapara Yuva Sangha, this impressive structure utilizes nearly 600 bamboo poles, straw, cane, and coconut leaves, materials as ancient as the land itself. For weeks, local youths and artisans collaborated, balancing scale with symbolism.

As Bhogali approaches, cultural programs and community feasts will take place beneath the towering jaapi.

Dibrugarh

In Nahorpara-Barbil village in Tinkhang, Dibrugarh, Bhogali Bihu begins not with fire, but with curiosity. This year’s bhela ghar is designed like a chakravyuha, the legendary maze from the Mahabharata. Constructed entirely from bamboo and straw, the spiral structure invites visitors in.

A resident shared, “For the last few years, we have been trying something different every Magh Bihu. This year, we chose Chakravyuha because it tells a story about Mahabharata’s Abhimanyu. It took us nearly 15–20 days of hard work.”

The idea emerged during late-night discussions among villagers and youths. For nearly 20 days, young men, women, elders, and even members of the nearby Nepali community worked side by side.

Unlike many places, Tinkhang follows a unique tradition where the Uruka feast occurs after the meji is lit, a practice passed down through generations.

Raha and Jorhat: Honoring Legacy

Raha

In Dighaldari Milonpur village in Raha, 14 youths from six villages, led by Rajiv Jyoti Nath, have constructed a 30-foot Bhelaghar featuring Zubeen Garg’s face. Made of bamboo and nora, this structure will not be burned but respectfully dismantled.

For those unable to visit Zubeen Kshetra in Sonapur, a thatch house within the bhela ghar complex holds his photograph, turning the space into a quiet homage.

Nearby at Amonishali, an even larger installation resembling a yacht stretches 80 feet long and 40 feet high. Crafted by sculptor Bhagwan Senapati at a cost of nearly Rs 70,000, it also features Zubeen’s favorite birds, heron and kaku, symbolizing his bond with music and nature.

When asked about the theme for the bhela ghar, Bhagwan Senapati stated, “Zubeen da has done many praiseworthy works for society. He is a true human being. I have lots of respect for him like others, and this is a reflection of all these.”

Jorhat

In a unique cultural tribute, a bhela ghar inspired by Garg has been constructed at No. 2 Charai Bahi village in Jorhat.

Designed to resemble a stage performance, the meji visually depicts Garg performing alongside fellow band members, transforming the traditional structure into a symbolic musical arena.

Ahead of the Uruka night feast, villagers plan to honor the singer through this artistic representation, blending the spirit of Magh Bihu with musical remembrance.

In contrast to conventional practices, the community has decided against burning the Bhela Ghar, preserving it as a mark of respect and cultural expression.

Raju, a member of the construction team, explained, “Our intention is not to burn it. In fact, none of the Bhela Ghars we made in previous years were burned. It is impossible for us to think of burning this one.”

He further detailed the legacy of bhela ghar in their village, stating, “In earlier years too, we have made theme-based bhela ghars inspired by different concepts like Jaipur’s Chandramahal, the Titanic, and the Lotus Temple. But this time, it is Zubeen Garg.”

Guwahati: Urban Celebrations

Guwahati

Preparations for Bhogali Bihu are evident across Guwahati, where urban residents continue to uphold traditional practices through the construction of mejis.

Visuals from areas such as Noonmati, Narengi, and Kharguli showcase workers erecting tall bamboo frameworks layered with straw and hay, reflecting the traditional Assamese style of meji-making.

In many neighborhoods, bhela ghars are being prepared collectively by residents and workers, often utilizing limited space and resources, highlighting how tradition adapts to urban life while retaining its cultural essence.

Rita Bhuyan, a resident of Zoo Road, Guwahati, shared, “I have been living in Guwahati for more than 20 years now. When I was younger, back in our village in Nalbari, we were actively involved in making the bhela ghar ourselves. Here in the city, it is not always possible to collect bamboo, straw, or firewood easily.”

She added, “Still, we make sure the tradition continues. Our apartment members will celebrate Bhogali Bihu together, and we usually arrange a readymade Meji. Even if the process has changed, the spirit of Bihu remains the same.”

Together, these Bhelaghars remind visitors that Bhogali Bihu is not just about celebration; it is also about remembrance.

Across Nalbari, Goalpara, Tinkhang, Raha, and Guwahati, the Bhelaghar has evolved beyond mere shelter. It has become a canvas where grief, pride, history, and hope are shaped by hand. In these villages, bhela ghar does not burn quietly; it speaks.