Done with your Magh Bihu rituals? Here’s a mini-thread on ‘Meji’ and ‘Bhelaghar’ - the inseparable units of Magh Bihu celebrations.

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According to researchers the origin of the word ‘Meji’ lies in the Sanskrit word ‘Medhya’. While the word ‘Uruka’ comes from the Deori-Sutiya word ‘Urukuwa’

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The ‘bhelaghar’, made out of bamboo and haystack (nora) is the temporary structure for the feast on Uruka night. The ‘meji’ is the temple-like structure to be set on fire in the wee hours of Magh Bihu.

There are three distinct ‘meji’ types seen in different parts of Assam.

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Mostly seen in parts of Lower Assam, Meiji is made out of dried banana leaves over a bamboo structure. The space inside is sometimes filled with ‘nora’, ‘jeng’, ‘jeura’ etc.

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In upper Assam, the Meji is a structure built of logs of wood placed in pairs, tier above tier till they rise to considerable height. The corners are supported with four full grown banana plants.

Pic Courtesy : @boowoo06 & @BhabenDas6

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The third type is made entirely out of ‘nora’ over a bamboo structure. In some parts of the state there is no practice of ‘meji’ but the ‘bhelaghar’ itself is set on fire the next day.

EOT