Come February 1, when the small upper Assam town of Golaghat will earn the rare distinction of being the venue of the first ever tea ceremony of the state organized by Arin Tea Private Ltd in the premise of their tea factory situated in Tetelitol area here.
The day-long event includes friendly competition on tea presentation amongst the guests and celebrating tea with them.
“The British introduced the Assamese to the tea drinking culture. Prior to that the Singphos and Khamtis used to consume a drink having medicinal properties and they called it phanap. Being farsighted the British could see the highly profitable economic prospect of this drink and accordingly they started commercial cultivation of tea and in that way opened a worldwide platform for Assam Tea and since then there has been no looking back for the tea industry of Assamn,” said Rakhi Saikia, director of Arin tea private ltd.
Regarding organizing the tea ceremony Saikia told Northeast Now that in Assamese culture tea is just not a beverage but enjoys a high esteem in socio- religious rituals.
“It is almost customary to offer tea to the guests and in any religious or social function is considered incomplete without serving tea. Also there are certain traditions while serving tea especially in religious functions to satradhikars, the bhakatsare served tea in brass bowls which is quite unique. Such ceremonial serving of tea is also found in Japan which is called chanoyu,”she pointed out.
“We are organizing this tea ceremony to popularize and promote the customs and rituals of tea drinking and now also tea, which is recognized as the state drink, must live upto its reputation. We are very hopeful that this small endeavor of us will leave an impact among the masses,” she added.
Arin tea private limited, located in countryside besides the Golaghat town, basically manufactures its own and sister concern garden leaves and has emerged and acknowledged as a top class Tea Factory making Quality Tea in consistence.
The company has its three own tea gardens and six sister concern gardens situated in quality belts in the district of Golaghat.