Festivals of Assam: Bihu, Ambubachi, Raas and More (2026–27 Dates)
The main festivals of Assam month by month: the three Bihus, Ambubachi Mela at Kamakhya, Raas on Majuli, Me-Dam-Me-Phi, Ali-Aye-Ligang and the Jonbeel Mela, with dates and where to see them.
Assam's year is shaped by the farming cycle, and its best-known festival, Bihu, comes three times: at sowing, while the crop grows and at harvest. Around it sit temple festivals, the river-island theatre of Majuli and the festivals of the Ahom, Mising, Tiwa and Bodo communities. January, April and November are the richest months to visit.
Assam festival calendar at a glance
| Festival | When | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Magh (Bhogali) Bihu | 14–15 January | All over Assam |
| Jonbeel Mela | January, after Magh Bihu | Jonbeel, near Jagiroad |
| Me-Dam-Me-Phi | 31 January | Sivasagar and Upper Assam |
| Ali-Aye-Ligang | February–March | Mising villages, Majuli and Dhemaji |
| Rongali (Bohag) Bihu | Mid-April (from about 14 April) | All over Assam |
| Ambubachi Mela | 22–26 June | Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati |
| Durga Puja | September–October | Guwahati and towns |
| Kati (Kongali) Bihu | Mid-October | Villages across Assam |
| Raas Mahotsav | November full moon (24 Nov 2026) | Majuli satras |
Bihu: three festivals in one
Rongali Bihu in mid-April is the Assamese new year and the liveliest: dancers in muga silk move to the dhol and the buffalo-horn pepa, and Bihu stages run in every town for weeks. Magh Bihu in January is the harvest feast, with a night of community cooking (Uruka) and bonfires (meji) at dawn. Kati Bihu in October is quiet, with lamps lit in the paddy fields. Our Bihu festival guide covers all three, and where to see them.
Ambubachi Mela at Kamakhya
Every June the Kamakhya Temple on Nilachal Hill in Guwahati closes for three days, marking the goddess's yearly cycle, and reopens on the fourth. Lakhs of pilgrims and sadhus camp on the hill, so it is a remarkable sight but a difficult time to visit the temple for darshan. If you only want to see Kamakhya, avoid these days.
Raas Mahotsav on Majuli
For three or four nights around the November full moon, the Vaishnavite satras of Majuli stage the life of Krishna with masks, music and dance, often until dawn. Ferries and the island's few stays fill fast, so book early. Our Jorhat and Majuli tour can be timed to the festival.
Community festivals worth knowing
- Me-Dam-Me-Phi (31 January): the Tai-Ahom day of ancestor worship, centred on Sivasagar, the old Ahom capital.
- Ali-Aye-Ligang (February–March): the Mising spring sowing festival, with the Gumrag dance in villages on Majuli and along the Brahmaputra.
- Jonbeel Mela (January): a three-day fair near Jagiroad where Tiwa and other hill communities still trade goods by barter.
- Bwisagu (mid-April): the Bodo new year, celebrated at the same time as Rongali Bihu with the Bagurumba dance.
Planning a festival trip to Assam
No permit is needed for Assam. Guwahati is the gateway, with flights from most Indian cities. Rongali Bihu falls just before the hot, wet months, and Kaziranga National Park is usually open until the end of April, so the two combine well. Raas in November pairs with the start of the Kaziranga season. See our Assam tour packages and the best time to visit Assam.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main festival of Assam?
Bihu, celebrated three times a year. Rongali Bihu in mid-April, the Assamese new year, is the biggest.
When is Bihu in 2027?
Magh Bihu is on 14–15 January 2027 and Rongali Bihu begins around 14 April 2027. Kati Bihu falls in mid-October.
Can tourists attend Assam's festivals?
Yes. Bihu stages, Raas performances and fairs are open to everyone. Be respectful at temple and satra rituals, and ask before photographing people.
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