Guwahati, Jan. 6: The feasts and bonfires of Magh Bihu will be seen much earlier this time with the inauguration of the 19th National Youth Festival 2015 here on Thursday.

State sports minister Ajit Singh said it is a matter of pride that the festival is being organised here for the first time.

He said the state government would not miss this opportunity to showcase Assam's rich cultural and social heritage through this festival.

'When the festival is being organised in January, it is time to showcase Magh or Bhogali Bihu. An exhibition-cum-food festival will be organised at Assam Engineering Institute playground at Chandmari. There will be more than 60 food stalls. The stalls from Assam will serve purely traditional food, especially those enjoyed during Magh Bihu. We will organise the food festival in such way that participants and delegates across India for the youth festival get a taste of Magh Bihu in advance,' Singh told reporters here today.

The people enjoy Magh Bihu, which marks the end of the harvesting season, with feasting.

According to the Assamese calendar, the Bihu festivities start from January 14.

Nearly 5,000 participants and delegates from 28 states in the country will participate in the youth festival being organised by the Union ministry of sports and youth welfare, in association with the Assam government.

Students from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi University and IITs and IIMs will also participate.

The event will continue from January 8 to 12.

State sports commissioner Ajay Tiwari said besides the food festival, there would be adventure sports activities, a camp for young artistes, national youth convention and special attractions every evening during the youth festival.

A Zubeen Garg concert on Thursday will be followed by that of singer Mami Verte of Mizoram on Friday and a performance by Angaraag (Papon) Mahanta on Saturday. Nehru Stadium will host Bollywood Nite by Alka Yagnik on Sunday.

The youth festival will feature one-act plays, classical vocal solo (Hindustani and Carnatic), classical instrumental solo (sitar, flute, tabla, veena and mridangam), classical dance (Manipuri, Odissi, Bharatanatyam, Kathak and Kuchipudi) and elocution competitions.

Group performances like folk dance and songs will also be presented.

Tiwari said competitive events would be organised at different venues in the city, including the auditoriums at Cotton College, B. Borooah College and Don Bosco School.

'Even though entry to non-competitive events like special attractions will be free, the authorities will issue free entry passes at certain locations. People will have to collect the passes,' Tiwari said.

Singh said chief minister Tarun Gogoi has reviewed security and other aspects to ensure smooth conduct of the festival.

While Tarun Gogoi will inaugurate the festival at Nehru Stadium on Thursday evening, Union home minister Rajnath Singh will be the chief guest at the closing ceremony on January 12 at the same venue.