Culture of Lakhimpur

An amazingly beautiful city situated in the lap of mother nature, Lakhimpur is a green place. Lakhimpur is a small place where nature is at its fullest. Located in the North Eastern corner of Assam on the north bank of the mighty Brahmaputra, Lakhimpur is away from the hustle and bustle of city life. People, however, have kept intact the Assamese way of life here in this small place. The culture prevailing here in Lakhimpur is the Assamese way of life, dance and music, festivals, food and religion.

The people of Lakhimpur are very enthusiastic about different festivals and fairs celebrated here. Different festivals are celebrated round the year by the different communities in Lakhimpur with great enthusiasm. Bihu is one of the most important festivals celebrated in Lakhimpur. The Bihu festival is of three types celebrated in different times of the year. It includes Rongali Bihu, Kati Bihu and Magh Bihu. The Bihu festival of Dhakuakhana here is one of the known festivals celebrated in Lakhimpur. “Phato Bihu” is a traditional Bihu celebrated in Dhakuakhana. People of Mishing community in Lakhimpur celebrate Mishing Bihu.

Other than Bihu the festivals celebrated in Lakhimpur are Durga puja, Saraswati Puja, Holi, Diwali, New Year, etc. Ali-Ai-Ligang is a colourful festival of the Mishing tribe. “Rash leela” of Dhakuakhana is also a memorable function. Cultural festivals like Bihu Nas, Sattriya dance, Bhaona etc are organized in Lakhimpur. During the time of Bhogali Bihu Bhogali mela is also organized in Lakhimpur when people have food items like “pitha”, “laroo”, “jalpan” in these melas.

The food of Lakhimpur is a traditional Assamese one. The food of Lakhimpur is basically a simple one with the use of fewer spices and use of fresh vegetables and fish in abundance, eaten with rice which is the staple food. The main food items consumed here are rice, fish, meat, vegetables, pickles, curd, rice beer etc.

Dance and music is an integral part of the culture of the people of Lakhimpur. The people in Lakhimpur get actively involved in music and dance to showcase the rich cultural heritage here. Bihu dance is the most important folk dance of the state of Assam and the Bihu festival is performed all over Lakhimpur.  The Satriya dance is an important classical dance form of Assam introduced by the Vaishnava Saint of Assam Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva. People here are also actively involved in this dance form.

Thans and sattras are Assamese places of worship. The people of Lakhimpur always offer prayers in these thans and sattras. Visiting thans and sattras are ways of living and form part of the culture of Lakhimpur. Nahar Ati Than, Padumoni Than, Gharmara satra,  Maghnowa Doll, Madhavdev Than Belaguri Satra, Badala Satra, Phulani Than and Basudev Than are famous thans and sattras in Lakhimpur.