Assam: Magh Bihu observed by following traditional community fishing

This year, the event started from Jan 14.

During the festival,people traditionally hold community fishing using different Assamese fishing gear.

A picturesque view can be witnessed throughout the state in the fresh-water lakes locally called as ‘beels’ braving the spine-chilling water. Community fishing is unique in nature in Assam during the Magh Bihu, also called the Bhogali Bihu, Ne Now reported.

“This is an age-old tradition. Of all the three Bihus, we celebrate the Magh Bihu enthusiastically. During Magh Bihu, people engage in community fishing in the nearby Bomani, Parkhali and Jalikhora beels. The king and villagers take part in the event equally. People get down in the beel daring the spine-chilling water as we do it only once in a year and as it is a time of merrymaking. Some People get big fish, some get small and some return empty-handed but the people do not have any regrets. People come here from far-flung places, some even come from central Assam to participate in the event,” a local resident of Dimoria Anup Das told the news portal.

“I have been fishing here since morning but did not get hold of a single fish but I am still very happy. Many of us have got some good catches. We come here every year, especially for merrymaking. We like fishing. Our forefathers started this tradition and we are keeping it alive,” local villager Pankaj Deka told the news portal.