Hundreds of people gathered in Guwahati to celebrate Rongali Bihu, the most popular festival of Assam.
Women clad in their traditional Bihu attires along with men wearing their Gamochas swayed to folk tunes to welcome the New Year.
It is the time when farmers sow new seeds and offer prayers for a prosperous year ahead.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports Sarbananda Sonowal also took part in the event.
"It's a good sign that Assamese culture, language and agriculture are able to attract different sections of people. Today Bihu is not only restricted to us but it is celebrated everywhere by people from different sections and religions," said Tarun Gogoi, Chief Minister, Assam.
To mark the festival, various Bihu functions were held across the city, as a part of which Bihu dance competitions were organized to promote the culture among the younger generation.
"Here different functions are organized and we perform Bihu dance. In Assam, there are lots of communities and they all have their own way of celebrating the festival," said Priyakshi Pujari, an artist.
The first day of 'Rongali Bihu' is known as 'Goru Bihu'. During the festival, farmers wash, feed and worship their bulls and cows as a sign of respect and gratitude for the service provided by the cattle.
In Jorhat, a program was organized by the Assam Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chhatra Parishad at Mitha Pukhri where a group of dancers performed Bihu Dance.
Various communities like Boro, Mising, Tiwa also participated in the event.
The festival is a time for merrymaking for the people and it also brings hope of peace and prosperity for the region.
"This Bohagh Bihu is a spring festival we all are celebrating with lots of joy and fun. This Bihu is the beginning or New Year for Assamese and I hope the coming days will be full of prosperous and happiness. And we pray for peace for the people of Assam and for the world," said Sudipta Goswami, Organizing committee member.
"On this occasion, I hope that there will be peace and prosperity in the country. Everyone should live together with a sense of brotherhood. On this Bihu I hope people forget their differences and live with love and harmony," said Ritul Borah, a local.
The festival is celebrated thrice a year in the form of Rongali, Kathi and Magh Bihu.
Such festivals play an important role of bringing together people and spreading the message of peace and harmony.
