Guwahati, April 2: The festive spirit of Rongali Bihu, Assam’s largest cultural festival, has begun to take shape across the state, coinciding with the run-up to the scheduled assembly elections. Residents of Assam are gearing up to participate in both the festival of culture and the democratic process this month.

Bihu dance coach Dreemly Gogoi said, “People are excited to participate in both the biggest festivals one is the festival of democracy, and another is the festival of culture and heritage of Assam. Preparations for Rongali Bihu, the state’s largest festival, have already begun.”

In Guwahati, a Bihu dance workshop has been organized at Chandmari Field since March 30, with around 500 boys and girls taking part. Simanta Thakuria, General Secretary of Pub Guwahati Bihu Sanmilan, emphasized the importance of celebrating the festival alongside the elections.

“This workshop will continue until April 10. Election is a democratic process, and we all should participate in it. On the other hand, Bihu is our heart, and we should celebrate it every year. Along with the election, we should preserve our culture,” Thakuria said.

Rongali Bihu, also known as Bibhag Bihu or Saat Bihu, marks the Assamese New Year and the spring festival and will begin on April 14.

Meanwhile, Assam is preparing for a closely contested assembly election, with 126 seats at stake. The incumbent BJP-led NDA government, headed by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, is seeking a third consecutive term, while the Congress aims to return to power.