It was a beauty pageant with a difference. Instead of human models, cows walked the ramp at Pathsala in newly-created Bajali district of Assam.
The people of Pathsala have been organizing this unique competition on the occasion of Goru Bihu every year as part of their tradition.
This year too, on the occasion of Goru Bihu, a Cow Fashion Show was organized at Gobindapur Satra in the district.
The cows of the region were brought decked up in unique clothes, bells, garlands, and the traditional Assamese ‘gamusa’.
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The event is a major attraction for the locals even as the farmers of the region eagerly wait for a year to take part in the unique event with much enthusiasm.
On the day of Goru Bihu, the cows are taken to the nearby river to be washed after applying gram and turmeric pastes and then the cows are dressed up with beautiful garments, especially designed for them, bells, gamusa, a garland of brinjal and water gourds.
During the event, the cows are brought to the ramp and Bihu songs are played in the background.
This is one of the unique events organized in Assam on the occasion of Goru Bihu, the first day of Rongali Bihu.
The event is aimed at encouraging the farmers of the region to come together and celebrate Bihu in a distinct way.
“For almost a decade now, we have been organising the fashion show for cows on Goru Bihu. All the villagers assemble in an open field and enjoy the show. The cattle are cleaned, worshipped and decorated with colourful covers and trinkets,” said a local.
“Since the last 16 years, we have been organising this fashion show and every year, the people of Gobindpur wait eagerly for this day. The preparations for the fashion show start a month before the event,” added another local.
Rongali Bihu is one of the most important festivals organized in Assam.
This Bihu marks the beginning of the Assamese New Year.