Kati Bihu (Kongali Bihu) is celebrated in Assam in which month?

Kati Bihu, also called Kongali Bihu, is celebrated in Assam in mid-October, on the first day of the Assamese month of Kati (Kartika). It is the quietest of the three Bihus of Assam.

Kati Bihu falls at a time when the paddy crops are still growing in the fields and the granaries of the farmers are nearly empty, as the previous harvest has been used up and the new harvest has not yet come. That is why it is called "Kongali Bihu", meaning the Bihu of the poor (kongal means poor). Because of this, it is not a festival of feasting and merrymaking, but a solemn festival of prayer and hope.

On the evening of Kati Bihu, people light earthen lamps (saki) at the foot of the tulsi (holy basil) plant in their courtyards, at the granary, in the garden and in the paddy fields, and they pray for a good harvest and the protection of the crops. The tulsi plant is planted and worshipped in the courtyard. Farmers light a special lamp called the "akash banti" (sky lamp), placed on a tall bamboo pole in the fields, which is believed to guide the souls of the ancestors and to attract and kill insects that harm the crops. The lamps lit in the fields create a beautiful sight.

The three Bihus of Assam follow the farming cycle:

• Rongali Bihu (Bohag Bihu), in mid-April, is the Assamese New Year and the spring festival, celebrated with Bihu dances, songs and feasting.
• Kongali Bihu (Kati Bihu), in mid-October, is the quiet festival of prayer.
• Bhogali Bihu (Magh Bihu), in mid-January, is the harvest festival of feasting.

Why not the other options?

• ✗January is the month of Bhogali (Magh) Bihu.
• ✗April is the month of Rongali (Bohag) Bihu.
• ✗July is not the month of any of the Bihus.