As spring returns with its burst of colour and fragrance, so does one of Assam’s most beloved celebrations — Bohag Bihu. Marking the Assamese New Year, this vibrant festival is not just about dancing to the rhythm of the dhol or donning new clothes — it’s also an elaborate food festival in its own right. Bohag Bihu, wouldn't be complete without its treasured traditional dishes, lovingly handed down through the generations and shared with friends, family, and even neighbours.
Let’s explore the importance of festival foods and dive into the diverse array of traditional dishes that truly define this festival of Assam.
8 Must-Try Delights for Bohag Bihu
There are various delicacies to serve during the Assam food festival. Whether you prefer savoury or sweet, these traditional dishes are a true hallmark of the festive spread.
1. Til Pitha
This sweet treat, a cylindrical rice cake packed with black sesame seeds and jaggery, is a favourite during Bohag Bihu. What sets it apart? The gentle crunch on the exterior and the warm, nutty sweetness inside. Each pitha is hand-rolled and pan-roasted, a true labour of love — and trust us, you’ll find it hard to stop at just one.
2. Narikol Laru
Coconut laddoos, or Narikol Laru, are the sweet soul of any Bihu festival. Made with freshly grated coconut and jaggery, these round delights are sticky, chewy, and bursting with flavour. They’re often made in bulk, stored in jars, and generously shared with guests — a gesture of hospitality and joy.
3. Ghila Pitha
As compared to other Pitha variants, Ghila Pitha has a denser, spongier texture. Shaped into small balls or patties, it’s made with rice flour, jaggery, and sometimes banana. Deep-fried to golden perfection, it’s crisp on the outside and soft inside. Whether eaten warm or at room temperature, it’s a comforting treat that brings instant nostalgia to anyone who’s grown up celebrating Bohag Bihu.
4. Xoru Xaak
Xaak is a simple green stir fry with the addition of lentils, fish, meat, or eggs. They are simply cooked in water and then lightly sautéed. Whereas in a vegetable preparation, you can use mustard leaves, spiced with panch phoran.
5. Khar
Unique to Assamese cuisine, Khar is both an ingredient and a dish. Made from sun-dried banana peels burnt to ash and filtered into an alkaline extract, khar is usually cooked with raw papaya or pulses. The flavour? Somewhere between earthy and refreshing. It’s one of those dishes you have to try to truly understand Assamese food, and there’s no better time than during Bohag Bihu.
6. Masor Tenga
Every Assamese household has its own version of Masor Tenga — a tangy fish curry typically cooked with tomatoes, lemon, or thekera (dried mangosteen). Light, aromatic, and slightly sour, it’s a perfect foil to the heavier sweets and fried items on the menu. Often served during the main Bihu feast, it’s a nod to both taste and tradition.
7. Pork with Bamboo Shoot
For many in Assam, pork is a festive indulgence. During Bohag Bihu, pork is often slow cooked with fermented bamboo shoot (khorisa) for a dish that’s spicy, pungent, and utterly satisfying. If you’re a fan of bold, rustic flavours, this is one dish that’ll stay with you long after the festival ends.
8. Duck Meat Curry
Haanh (duck) curry, especially when prepared with ash gourd or sesame seeds, is another delicacy that graces the Bihu table. Rich, hearty, and deeply aromatic, it’s usually reserved for special occasions — which makes it a perfect fit for Bohag Bihu. Served with steaming rice, it’s nothing short of a celebration on a plate.
Drinks and Desserts to Sweeten the Celebration
The feast doesn't end with the main dishes. In true food festival fashion, Bohag Bihu also features a delightful range of sweets and refreshing accompaniments.
Jolpan
This breakfast staple is an assortment of puffed rice, curd, milk, cream, jaggery, and sometimes fruits or gur syrup. Jolpan is usually served cold, and while it’s not exclusive to Bihu, it’s especially cherished during this time as a comforting, light yet flavourful start to the day.
Payash
No celebration in India is complete without a sweet pudding — and in Assam, Payash (or kheer) takes the crown. Made with bora saul (sticky rice), milk, and jaggery, it’s simmered slowly until thick and fragrant. Garnished with raisins or slivers of coconut, Payash is a festive hug in a bowl.
Understanding the Significance of Food During Bohag Bihu
At its core, Bohag Bihu is a celebration that embraces abundance — be it of harvests, happiness, or unity. Naturally, food takes a pivotal role. Traditionally observed by farming communities, Bohag Bihu signifies the start of the harvest season. It’s a time to seek blessings for a fruitful harvest and to express gratitude for the bounty of the land.
The meals created during this festival are not merely to please the palate; they embody the spirit of Assamese culture and highlight the region’s strong connection to nature. Ingredients such as sticky rice, sesame seeds, jaggery, bamboo shoots, and local greens are not just culinary selections — they symbolise prosperity and purity.
Cooking and sharing meals during Bihu also foster a strong sense of community. Elders often prepare traditional items, teaching younger generations the methods and meanings behind each dish, ensuring that heritage is kept alive in every bite.
Conclusion
Bohag Bihu is more than just a festivity — it's a vibrant tradition expressed through its music, customs, and notably, its cuisine. Each dish crafted and shared during this period represents more than just a culinary recipe — it embodies a tale, a reminiscence, a wish for prosperity in the coming year.
If you have just discovered the magic of the festival of Assam for the first time, make sure to savour its gastronomic essence. Recreating these flavours at home with premium spices, such as those from Sunrise Masala, can truly bring the genuine taste of Assam right into your kitchen.
FAQs
Are these traditional foods easy to make at home?
Many of them are! Sweets like Narikol Laru and Til Pitha require basic ingredients but a bit of technique. With a little patience, they’re very rewarding to prepare.
What spices are commonly used in Bihu dishes?
Mustard seeds, bay leaves, dried chillies, turmeric, ginger, and khar are frequently used. The right spices are essential for bringing out the depth of Assamese flavours.