Guwahati, Jan. 12: Homemade pitha-pona seems to have made way for readymade traditional delicacies at various Bhogali melas across the city on the eve of Uruka today.
The rising prices of traditional food items did not appear to have dampened the Bhogali Bihu spirit as droves of people were seen buying readymade and packaged pitha-pona as they prepared to celebrate Uruka on Friday, when people engage in community feasting and merrymaking at night.
"I have purchased sarbhogor doi and cream...from the Bhogali mela here (at Zoo Road Tiniali). Every traditional Assamese sweet is available here and I plan to take some home," said Hemadri Neog, a homemaker.
Nitin Gohain, a student who was busy munching on khorikat diya gahori (roasted pork) at a fair in Lakshidhar Bora Kshetra, said: "This time I will not be going home to my native town for Bihu and so came here to purchase some pitha-pona. I will celebrate the festival with my roommates."
Anjana Deka, a homemaker, said: "I have prepared traditional sweets at home, but I have also purchased a packet of til pitha from a Bhogali mela as I liked the concept of women entrepreneurs preparing them on the spot and selling them. Although the food items in such melas cost more than those in the local markets, they are superior in quality and that is the reason I visited the mela."
Organisers of most Bhogali melas seemed happy with the sales. "Around 35 NGOs are participating in our Bhogali fair and they are selling different food items. While some are selling packaged items, some are preparing delicacies on the spot and selling them. We have also put up stalls where people can eat different dishes of fish, chicken and pork. We have received a large number of customers during the past five days," said Dipanjalee Nath, an entrepreneur and member of an NGO participating in the Bhogali mela at Lakshidhar Bora Kshetra.
In Jorhat, a pandal was taking shape amid a flurry of activity at the Rongdoi Dagaon Barnamghar Kshetra near Bahona Tiniali with the field being prepared to host a bhaona festival-cum-competition to coincide with the Magh Bihu festivities.
On the first day of the month of Magh (January 14), the place will be the venue for the third All Assam Shishu Bhaona Xamaroh, in which boys and girls up to the age of 14 will participate.
Teams from mostly Upper Assam have confirmed their participation and seven dramas based on the epics and stories from the life of Lord Krishna will be staged over seven days at the xamaroh.
