Magh Bihu: 3 Traditional And Flavourful Recipes To Elevate Your Bhogali Celebrations

Assam ’s renowned festival, Bihu, is here! Did you know it is celebrated in three variations? These include ‘Bhogali’ or ‘ Magh Bihu ,’ observed in January; ‘Rongali’ or ‘Bohag Bihu,’ celebrated in April; and ‘Kongali’ or ‘Kati Bihu,’ marked in October or November.

This year, on 14th January, Magh Bihu, the harvest festival, takes center stage. It is a time for expressing gratitude for a plentiful harvest while celebrating Assam’s rich agricultural heritage.

Check out a curated selection of three traditional and flavourful recipes to enhance your Magh Bihu celebrations.

Coconut Laddoo

Ingredients---

• 3.5 cups of grated or dry coconut
• 2.5 cups of cow milk
• 2 cups of white sugar
• A pinch of camphor

Preparation---

• Boil the milk in a wide bottom pan
• When the milk starts boiling for a couple of minutes add 2 cups shredded coconut and mix well
• When the coconut has finished absorbing the milk add the sugar
• Stir continuously on low flame and make sure the mixture does not stick to the bottom
• Add the pinch of camphor and turn off the heat
• Allow the mixture to cool and make small balls
• Roll the balls in powdered coconut to make laddoos

Ghila Pitha

Ingredients---

• 1 kg rice flour
• ½ kg jaggery or 1 kg of sugar
• 250 gm of cooking Oil
• 2 cups of hot water.

Preparation---

• Add the sugar or jaggery to 2 cups of warm water
• Let the water stand until the sugar dissolves in the hot water
• Add the rice flour and fold it carefully in the sugar water
• Use enough rice flour to prepare a smooth dough
• Keep the dough covered for some time and then divide it into small balls of equal sizes
• Flatten the balls using a rolling pin into half-inch round balls and fry them in oil, till they are golden on both sides

Kharbuja Ke Beej

Ingredients---

• 100 gm melon seeds
• 50 gm sugar
• 1 teaspoon of ghee
• 1 cup of warm water

Preparations---

• Allow the seeds of musk melon to dry after cleaning them thoroughly
• Heat the ghee in a pan and add the seeds
• Sauté the seeds for a couple of minutes till they turn golden brown
• Add sugar into the pan and stir continuously to ensure Theta the seeds stick to one another
• Mix the seeds well and serve hot

(Recipe credit: Bihu Festival)