Introduction
Assam is undoubtedly one of the most wholesome places to visit. With its diverse cultures, traditions, and idyllic locations, a trip to Assam is hard to beat. And, if you enjoy traditions and want to fully immerse yourself in a cultural experience during your visit, you should definitely plan your vacation around various festivals held throughout the state at various times of the year. In this article, we will discuss some of the most popular cultural festivals in Assam that you must attend at least once.
Brahmaputra Beach Festival
Assam’s tourism minister, Jayanta Malla Baruah, expressed his desire to make Guwahati Sandbar one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the state. The three-month festival kicked off this year on January 1, 2023. The festival is intended to be a vibrant showcase of Assam’s rich cultural heritage, traditions, handicrafts, and delectable cuisine. Visitors can indulge in various sports activities, such as water sports, paragliding, and traditional sports, besides enjoying the cultural display. Additionally, visitors can taste traditional food and beverages at stalls set up for the occasion.
To facilitate easy access, the tourism department has arranged for regular ferry services for visitors every half an hour. The festival is open for visitors from 10 AM to 9 PM, and the arena is kept plastic-free. Additionally, the organizers have clarified that the festival arena will not be selling any Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL). Instead, traditional and local drinks prepared by different communities will be available. This festival truly exemplifies Assam’s commitment to presenting its cultural diversity to the world while also giving visitors a fun and interesting experience.
To facilitate easy access, the tourism department arranges regular ferry services for visitors every half an hour. The festival opens every day from 10 AM to 9 PM. The Govt wants the arena to be plastic free and so we are required to maintain a plastic free experience. This festival truly exemplifies Assam’s commitment to presenting its cultural diversity to the world while also giving visitors a fun and interesting experience.
Kaziranga Elephant festival
The Elephant Festival is an annual celebration held in the north-eastern state of Assam, India, at the Kaziranga National Park. The festival, which is sponsored by the Government of Assam, the Forest Department, and the Tourism Department, aims to promote ecotourism, protect Asiatic elephants, and spread awareness of the peaceful coexistence of elephants and humans. The purpose of this festival is to raise awareness and respect for these magnificent animals while showcasing the beauty and talents of Asiatic elephants.
An enormous number of tourists attend the annual week-long Kaziranga Elephant Festival, which runs from February 11 to February 17. In an effort to promote ecotourism and address the growing conflict between elephants and people over scarce resources, the Assam Forest Department and the Department of Tourism jointly launched the festival in 2003. Nearly a hundred Asiatic domestic elephants are thoroughly cleaned and decorated throughout the festival. They take part in local cultural events, such as dancing performed especially for them, and they play sports like football to display their skills and prowess. Processions are organized, with troupes playing drums and cymbals while elephants perform in front of the audience.
Jonbeel Mela
Jonbeel Mela is a unique cultural festival that takes place annually in the state of Assam, India. The festival is celebrated in the Morigaon district, around 32 kms from Guwahati, the capital city of Assam. This festival is also known as the ‘Festival of the Tribes’, as it is a conglomeration of different tribes and communities in Assam that come together to celebrate and display their rich cultural heritage. The festival is held on the banks of the Jonbeel pond and is believed to have been celebrated for over 500 years.
The main attraction of the festival is the barter system that takes place between different communities. The tribes come with their products and exchange them for goods and products of equal value. One can find a lot of organically grown groceries during this fair. The festival also features cultural performances, traditional sports, and various stalls selling local handicrafts and traditional food items. Jonbeel Mela is a cultural festival and a platform for promoting communal harmony, peace, and brotherhood among the people of Assam.
Ambubachi Mela
Ambubachi Mela is one of the most significant festivals of Assam, celebrated annually in the Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati. The festival is held to honour the yearly menstruation cycle of the goddess Kamakhya. It is believed that during the festival, the Goddess Kamakhya undergoes her annual menstruation cycle, and the temple remains closed for three days.
The festival is marked by great enthusiasm and attracts thousands of devotees from various parts of the country. During the festival, the temple premises are decorated with flowers, and people from various communities come to offer their prayers and seek the blessings of the goddess. Tantric sadhus perform various rituals, and devotees take part in various activities like singing devotional songs, reading holy books, and meditating.
The Ambubachi Mela is also an occasion for cultural exchange, and people from various parts of the country come to display their art and craft. The festival is an excellent opportunity for visitors to experience the rich culture and traditions of Assam.
Nazirating Tamuli Tourism Festival
Assam is blessed with attractive tourist destinations, and the Nazirating Tamuli Tourism Circuit is a new addition to the tourism map of the state. Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma attended the last day of the festival this year and announced Rs. 3 crores for the infrastructural development of the Nazirating Tamuli Tourism Circuit. This will create more amenities for tourists and transform the festival into a must-see event for nature lovers and animal enthusiasts. The Chief Minister praised the festival for being held in a pristine landscape enriched by the river Dibru and unique flora and fauna. The natural beauty of the place and the presence of varied species of birds make it an attractive tourist destination. Furthermore, the creation of guest houses, roads, and other amenities for tourists adds to its appeal.
The festival also has the potential to bring together different ethnic groups, creating new job opportunities and attractions for students, nature enthusiasts, and animal lovers. The Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to the festival organizers for their efforts in organizing this event and paving the way for further development.
Majuli festival
Majuli festival, celebrated in the state of Assam, is a four-day cultural extravaganza held annually from November 21 to 24. This festival takes place on the banks of the river Luit, on the largest river island in the world. Various cultural groups from Majuli and other parts of Assam organize a range of cultural programs during the festival. One can witness diverse ethnic groups coming together to celebrate the event.
Exhibitions and performances by local groups display remnants of the old traditions. For instance, the tribes of Majuli make burnt clay pottery using the same technique as the Harappan people. The pottery, weapons, and other items are on display during the festivities. The festival also includes a food festival, where different tribal foods are cooked and can be bought. Seminars on relevant issues are organized, and classical performances from all over the country can be witnessed. Since the region is a melting pot of many tribes and ethnic races, one can see several groups sharing space under the Majuli sky.
The Majuli festival celebrates the traditions of the people of the region and beyond. While there are no specific rituals, the festival provides an opportunity for cultural performances and the display of various traditional products of Assam. Many budding and established artists, dancers, musicians, and artisans participate in the festival, making it a celebration of the rich cultural heritage of the region.
Jorhat tea festival
Assam, is well-known for its extensive tea gardens, which contribute significantly to the country’s economy. Given its significance, it is appropriate to commemorate Assam’s tea industry and its ability to lift spirits with its delectable aroma and flavour. As a result, the Assam Tea Festival was created to honour the region’s rich tea culture. The festival attracts tea lovers from all over India to the Jorhat district, which is known for its lush tea gardens.
The Assam Tea Festival features cultural performances, interactive activities, and, of course, tea. The people of Assam use this occasion to honour their hard work, while visitors show their appreciation for the various varieties of tea on display and the entertaining performances. The festival is held each year during the winter months of November to January and is a popular event.
Garmur festival
The satra is maintained in a clean and tidy manner, and its peaceful surroundings impart peace to one’s mind and soul. The Raslila festival is a grand occasion celebrated here, where both men and women take part in cultural activities. However, it is considered against the rules of other satras.
Garmur Satra holds many ancient articles and artifacts that provide insight into the religious beliefs of the people here. The Vaishnavite site is home to many silver and ivory utensils, elephant cartwheels, umber sculptures, and many other ancient literary manuscripts. The satra is easily accessible by both waterways and roads. Tourists can take either a ferry or taxis and buses to Garmur Satra.
The months of October to February are ideal for visiting this religious institution because the weather is mild.
