Guwahati, the gateway to Northeast India, is a city where ancient Assamese traditions thrive alongside modern cultural expressions. Blessed with Shakti temples, vibrant ethnic communities, and a growing cosmopolitan population, Guwahati celebrates festivals with warmth, color, and inclusivity. From age-old rituals connected to nature to contemporary cultural celebrations, the city’s festive calendar reflects its diverse heritage. Here are the most famous traditional and modern festivals that define the spirit of Guwahati.

1. Bihu – The Heartbeat of Assamese Culture

If there is one festival synonymous with Guwahati and the entire state of Assam, it is Bihu. The city celebrates all three forms of Bihu with unmatched enthusiasm:

Rongali Bihu (Bohag Bihu)

Celebrated in April, Rongali marks the Assamese New Year and the onset of spring. Guwahati becomes a hub of music, dance, and traditional feasts. Young boys and girls perform the iconic Bihu dance wearing mekhela chador and dhoti-gamosa. Parks, streets, cultural centers, and open grounds host Bihu concerts featuring local artists, folk musicians, and popular singers. Families get together to prepare pithas, curd, jaggery, and traditional meals—symbolizing abundance and happiness.

Kongali Bihu (Kati Bihu)

Observed in October, Kongali is a quieter and more spiritual festival. Guwahati households light earthen lamps in paddy fields, tulsi plants, and granaries, praying for protection and good harvest. The city’s temples, especially smaller neighborhood shrines, glow with soft light.

Bhogali Bihu (Magh Bihu)

Held in January, Bhogali marks the end of the harvesting season and is celebrated with feasting and bonfires. In Guwahati, community grounds light meji and bhelaghar—large bamboo and hay structures burned at dawn. Residents prepare traditional dishes like laru, pitha, fish, and meat curries. The festive atmosphere is joyous, energetic, and deeply rooted in agrarian traditions.

2. Ambubachi Mela – The Largest Religious Festival in Guwahati

Guwahati is home to Kamakhya Temple, one of India’s most revered Shakti Peethas. Every June, the temple hosts the Ambubachi Mela, a unique festival symbolizing the annual menstruation of Goddess Kamakhya, representing fertility and womanhood.

Lakhs of devotees, sadhus, and tourists gather from across India. During the three-day temple closure, the city transforms into a massive cultural fair, with spiritual gatherings, free community meals, and markets selling traditional Assamese crafts. When the temple doors reopen, devotees celebrate with great devotion.

Ambubachi Mela is not just a religious event—it reflects Guwahati’s identity as a spiritual, diverse, and welcoming city.

3. Durga Puja – A Blend of Assamese and Bengali Traditions

Although Durga Puja has its roots in Bengal, Guwahati celebrates it with extraordinary grandeur. Pandals across popular areas like Ganeshguri, Fancy Bazaar, Maligaon, Silpukhuri, and Pandu showcase creativity, elaborate lighting, and intricate idol designs.

The city’s pujas blend Assamese and Bengali elements—traditional dhak beats mix with Bihu rhythms, while Assamese textiles influence pandal décor. People dress up, visit pandals with family and friends, enjoy traditional foods, and participate in evening cultural programs.

Durga Puja in Guwahati represents cultural harmony and artistic brilliance.

4. Bohag Mahotsav – Modern Celebration of Tradition

Held around Rongali Bihu, the Bohag Mahotsav is a modern cultural festival organized by various community groups and cultural bodies. It includes folk dance competitions, youth dance events, musical performances, fashion shows featuring Assamese attire, and food festivals promoting local cuisine.

This urban celebration beautifully bridges traditional Assamese roots with modern entertainment and city culture.

5. Brahmaputra Beach Festival – Guwahati’s Unique Modern Fest

Conducted on the sandy banks of the Brahmaputra River, the Brahmaputra Beach Festival is one of the city’s most modern and vibrant events. It features:

• Sand sculpture competitions
• Adventure sports like para-sailing, jet skiing, rock climbing
• Live concerts showcasing folk and contemporary music
• Tribal dance performances
• Handloom and handicraft exhibitions

The festival celebrates the mighty river while promoting tourism and eco-cultural diversity. It attracts visitors from across India, especially young travelers.

6. Shankardev Tithi & Cultural Festivals

Guwahati reveres Srimanta Sankardev, the medieval saint, social reformer, poet, and founder of Assamese Vaishnavism. His birth anniversary is marked with devotional songs (Borgeet), Naam-Prasanga, plays based on Ankiya Naat, and dance-drama performances.

Cultural institutions like Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra host exhibitions, folk performances, and seminars celebrating Assamese literature and heritage. These events highlight the city’s deep intellectual and cultural legacy.

7. Diwali and Kali Puja – Lights, Color, and Devotion

Guwahati celebrates Diwali with great enthusiasm. Homes, streets, and temples glow with earthen lamps, candles, and colorful rangolis. Modern housing complexes organize fireworks, cultural shows, and community dinners.

However, Guwahati gives special prominence to Kali Puja, especially in neighborhoods with strong Bengali communities. Idols of Goddess Kali are installed at public pandals, accompanied by devotional music, dance, and festive lighting.

8. Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha – A Celebration of Harmony

Guwahati’s secular spirit shines during Eid celebrations. Areas like Hatigaon, Fancy Bazaar, and Panbazar witness vibrant markets, delicious food stalls, and bustling community gatherings. People of all faiths join in the festive spirit by exchanging sweets, visiting friends, and enjoying special dishes like biryani, sheermal, and sewai.

9. Christmas and New Year – Modern Festive Glow

With growing cosmopolitan influence, Christmas in Guwahati has become a lively celebration. Churches like the Baptist Church and Don Bosco Church host midnight masses and community events. Cafés, malls, and streets like Christian Basti are beautifully decorated.

New Year celebrations include rooftop events, open-air concerts, DJ nights, and cultural shows, reflecting the city’s evolving urban lifestyle.

10. Rongali Festival – Modern Northeast Cultural Showcase

Organized annually, Rongali Festival showcases the cultural richness of the entire Northeast. It features:

• Rock bands
• Indigenous music and dance
• Fashion shows featuring tribal textiles
• Food stalls with local delicacies
• Art installations

This festival presents Guwahati as a cultural hub of the entire Northeastern region.

Conclusion

Guwahati’s festivals—whether rooted in ancient traditions like Bihu and Ambubachi Mela or modern celebrations like beach festivals and New Year concerts—capture the city’s dynamic and diverse identity. These festivals promote unity, preserve heritage, boost tourism, and highlight Guwahati’s unique position as the cultural powerhouse of Northeast India.