Twitter
Advertisement

Bulbuls fight as Assam celebrates Bihu

Scores of bulbuls are captured every year in Hajo, some 35km away from Guwahati, for the festive fights during Magh Bihu.

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

Bulbuls fought for cash prizes as the people in Assam celebrated the Magh Bihu with pomp and gaiety on Sunday.

Scores of bulbuls are captured every year in Hajo, some 35km away from Guwahati, for the festive fights during Magh Bihu. The bulbuls, in some places buffaloes and cocks, are fed with a potent cocktail of intoxicants prior to the ‘bloody’ fights. 

“This year, 350 bulbuls were in the fray. They fought valiantly,” Babul Mazumdar, a member of the organizing committee, told DNA. “The owner of the bird that scored the highest points got a reward of Rs.10,001,” he said.

The fights take place at the premises of historic Madan Kamdev temple every year despite appeals by animal rights activists to ban the practice. 

“We have been for long seeking a ban on bird fight under Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. It’s a pity that the authorities haven’t been able to stop the practice,” an animal rights activist told DNA.

The organizers say this is an age-old practice which they will protect at any cost. “We view this as our bounden duty to protect and maintain this tradition,” Mazumdar said. 

The Magh Bihu, also called Bhogali Bihu, marks the end of the harvesting season. It is a time for community-feasting, merry-making and thanks-giving to God for a rich harvest. 

Held for three days, the Magh Bihu celebrations began on Saturday night with people congregating around a bonfire, called “meji”, and rejoiced in a community feasting. 

The spiraling prices and the winter chill could not dampen their spirit.

“It (Magh Bihu) comes once a year and so we try to celebrate it in a befitting manner,” Bibhuti B Das, a college lecturer, said. 

“To us, Bihu is more than a festival. It's so close to our heart. We are celebrating it to the hilt by eating, singing and dancing,” said Meghali Deuri, a housewife.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement