Kati Bihu, also known as Kongali Bihu, is one of the three Bihu festivals celebrated in Assam. Unlike Bohag Bihu and Magh Bihu, which are festive and full of joy, Kati Bihu is a more solemn and modest observance. It falls in the month of Kati (mid-October), during a time when the paddy fields are still in the growing stage, and there is less food available. The festival reflects a period of scarcity and a time of prayer for a good harvest.

Key Features of Kati Bihu:

1. Lighting of Lamps (Saki Bihu): One of the central customs of Kati Bihu is the lighting of small earthen lamps, known as sakis, in paddy fields, under the Tulsi plant, and around the home. These lamps are lit at dusk to pray for the well-being of the crops and for protection from evil forces. The light symbolizes hope, guiding the way toward a successful harvest.The Tulsi plant (holy basil) holds special significance in Assamese households, and during Kati Bihu, families worship it by lighting lamps and offering prayers to the plant for protection and prosperity.
2. Prayers for Good Harvest: Kati Bihu is a time when farmers anxiously await the growth of their crops. Prayers are offered to the gods and ancestors for the protection of the crops from natural disasters and pests. In some regions, bamboo sticks known as “Bhelaghar” or “Sah” are placed in paddy fields, and oil lamps are lit on them to ward off evil spirits and ensure a good harvest.
3. Offering to Cattle: Cattle are given special attention during Kati Bihu as well. Farmers feed them with rice bran or rice gruel (locally called “pitha-pani”) to keep them healthy and strong during the lean season. This reflects the Assamese people’s deep connection with their cattle, which are essential to agricultural work.
4. Tulsi Puja: The Tulsi plant is worshipped during Kati Bihu. A bamboo fence is erected around the plant, and lamps are lit under it as a form of protection and reverence. The ritual represents the belief that the holy Tulsi will guard the household and the crops from harm.
5. Kongali Bihu: Kati Bihu is often referred to as Kongali Bihu, meaning “Bihu of scarcity.” This name reflects the season’s reality, as it comes before the harvest and during a time of limited resources. The celebrations are subdued, with simple rituals and prayers rather than feasting and dancing.

Significance of Kati Bihu:

Kati Bihu highlights the agrarian lifestyle of Assam and the dependence of its people on nature for sustenance. It is a festival of patience and hope, marking a crucial phase in the agricultural cycle when farmers need to wait for their crops to mature. Kati Bihu also emphasizes the strong spiritual connection the Assamese people have with nature, as they seek divine blessings for protection and a bountiful harvest.

In essence, Kati Bihu is a time of simplicity, reflection, and prayer, contrasting with the more joyous Bohag and Magh Bihu. It showcases the resilience of the farming community in Assam and their deep reverence for the land and its cycles.