All About Assam's 'Uruka' As People Throng To Fish Markets On The Eve Of Magh Bihu

Assamese celebrate the festival of 'Uruka' characterised by fish on the eve of Magh Bihu.

People buying fish on Uruka in Guwahati's Uzan baazar

People in Assam on Sunday celebrated 'Uruka', on the eve of the festival of 'Magh Bihu'. Uruka is a day dedicated to fishes as people across the state follow the custom of either catching a fish from water bodies or buy it from the market, however expensive it may come. 

The day of Uruka usually falls on either January 13 or 14 every year. 

A surge in the prices of fishes, especially on this day of feasting due to increase in demand, does not deter people from indulging into festivities as markets are filled with scenes of them taking away the marine species dangling by their hands. 

Nothing matters for the people on Uruka day, except for their fish.

Fishes like  the ‘chital’ (chitala chitala), ‘boal’ (wallago attu), ‘katol’ (catla) and ‘rohu’ (labeo rohita), are among some of the favourite species that people prefer to have on this day. 

For the fish sellers too, the day is a festival of sorts as they earn a good amount of money through their sales.

In the state’s capital Guwahati, people thronged the famous Uzan Bazar in the wee hours of Sunday, one of the oldest fish markets in the city, located on the banks of Brahmaputra river, braving the foggy morning. 

Thousands of fish of different varieties were being sold in the market. 

The prices of the fish started from Rs 1,000 and even went up to a whopping Rs 30,000. However, the prices of the fish did not discourage the people from buying it as fish lovers wanted to take home a big fish to have a sumptuous meal in the evening feast.

 

It is also a matter of pride for the people to take home the biggest fish.

“I came to the Uzan Bazar fish market early in the morning. Though the prices of fish have soared today due to Uruka, I did not hesitate to buy a three kilogram chital fish having a price tag of Rs 5,000," said a fish lover. 

People visit markets not just to buy fish but also to soak themselves in the festive vibes. 

"I come here not only to buy fish, but to see the atmosphere in this market on this day, which is unique in itself, with different varieties of fish all around. I love to see the live fish on display,” the person quoted above added. 

The Magh Bihu, also known as Bhogali Bihu, which marks the end of the harvesting season in Assam, is a festival of feasting. The three-day-long festivities begin with Uruka, the eve of Magh Bihu.