Although it is not fully known, the Bihu festival, which has been observed since around the sixteenth century A.D. on the banks of the Charikoria river in Dhakuakhana in the extreme east of Assam, is known as "Phata Bihu" (or Phaat Bihu). Currently, this Bihu is celebrated on the MohghuliChapari of the Charikoria River on a regular basis for three days straight beginning on Friday and continuing on Saturday and Sunday of the last week of "Bohag," the first month of the Assamese calendar (2nd week of May).

Phata Bihu is the heritage of Dhakuakhana. It is the region's cultural treasure. Currently, its attraction has spread far and wide across seas and oceans, transcending the boundaries of the State and the Nation. Since the days of the Ahom reign, Phata Bihu has been considered an occasion of cultural union of various races and creeds in the Dhakuakhana region. Though it is believed to be some historical causes after its naming, still no concrete decision in this regard could be arrived at. Origin of the name 'Phata Bihu': The meaning of the word 'Phata' from the Tai language is 'A place where people congregate for trade and business, to collect tax and cess at a place adjacent to a river or other deep water body. As per Ahom Lexicon, the meaning Phata is a place where traders assemble for trade and for payment of duty. Many used the word to mean a market (haat) or a wharf (ghaat).

According to lore, even though there are several opinions, only the following one has been given weight. Phata means a big market, a synonym to haat. The Ahom king used to send his officers to collect taxes from people of the north bank coinciding with Bihu. The assigned moored their boats on the bank of the Charikoria River just before Bihu. To welcome the regal envoy people from nearby villages congregated near the phaat. People from various ethnic groups performed the Bihu dance in honor of the royal officer. This Bihu celebrated together with the royal representative in the Phaat is popularly known as ‘Phaat Bihu’. It is a community Bihu celebrated together by various ethnic groups under the open sky in the Phaat of Charikoria. This was the place where a community market was there, the traders, merchants, and farmers sat together to fulfill their needs, and also where the royal envoy collected taxes. At the same time the youths, both boys and girls from the ethnic groups in the vicinity celebrated Bihu with soulful songs, enthralling drum beats, the mesmerizing tune of pepa (horn) made of buffalo horn, and captivating dance.

Evolution of Phata Bihu

Since the sixteenth century, Phaata Bihu has been celebrated as usual on the bank of the Charikoria River of Dhakuakhana (Habung). In the beginning, this Bihu was limited to the tribal groups only. In the year 1918 Phaata Bihu stopped. However, it resumed in the 1960s at the earnest effort of some local people. Since 1996 Phaata Bihu has been celebrated on a permanent stage that has been erected amidst the sisu plantation of MahghuliChapari on the bank of the Charikoria River.

MahghuliChapari and Phaata Bihu

The sandbars lying on both banks of the Charikoria River starting from Dhakuakhana and extending towards the West-Southern direction are called MohghuliChapori. Formerly there existed a stream that emerged from Charikoria some 400 meters west of Dhakuakhana and then again merged with the mother river after running downstream for about 2.5 kilometers. The eastern portion of River Island created by this dead stream is the present venue of the Phaata Bihu celebration. The local unit of the State Forest Department has created the present breathtaking ambiance by planting many exotic species including sisu.

Renowned litterateur, famed son of DhakuakhanaHomenBargohain has mentioned the present spot where Phaata Bihu is celebrated as 'MaohghuliChapari' in his much-discussed short story 'Garakhiya' (the cowherd). The natural beauty of these sandbars pulled him immensely from his very childhood and as a result, it was frequently mentioned in his short tales, novels, and other writings.

The fact that Phaata Bihu which has been recognized as an invaluable property of Assamese folk culture is now permanently celebrated in this sandbar has rendered this spot a point of tourist attraction. Though it is also just an expression of Bihu fervor, one cannot directly compare Phaata Bihu with the Bihu celebrated in other regions. The opulence of the natural bounty of the location, the heritage of the place, the dance performed to the Bihu songs emanating from the core of the heart, Jaatnaam, the husori, plethora of colors in the traditional dresses of the performers as well the viewers, participation of various ethnic groups is characteristic, diversified and significant. Phaata Bihu can be termed as a just example of 'Unity in diversity'. It is a symbol of coordination. It is the spontaneous natural expression of the artistic mind of the local rural populace.