Bodoland can be a revelation- with its green cover and its cultural richness.
Gethsemane- manmade woodland near Bhairabkunda in Bodoland’s Udalguri district, leaves one awestruck. Sown into a 15 lakh-tree cover over 17 years, it is veritably the region’s jewel in the crown. Today, all along the drive through Gethsemane to Bhairabkunda, one marvels at the handiwork of the local community in transforming 750 hectareas of barren land into a green cover and home for animals and birds.
Bhairabkunda itself is a unique
attraction – bounded by Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh near the Bhutanese town of
Daifam, with its famous Shiva temple situated in Bhutanese territory! The first
stop of the journey from Guwahati would be Goreswar, to see how the elongated
wooden dhols and nagaras are crafted from wood and goat skin. Driving through
small towns and villages, one could stop near Dimakuchi to enjoy a packed
breakfast overlooking tea gardens. And, if you are in Bodoland on a Tuesday,
you can even witness the worshipping of the Shijou plant, the symbol of
Oblonglaoree-the supreme God of the Bodos.
Infact, Udalguri and Kokrajhar are the hub of
Bodoland- a land that is a rich blend of colour,tradition,music,dance and food.
Cooked with various kinds of herbs,Bodo
dishes have distinctive flavor,aroma and taste that lingers in the buds and in
the memory for long. Fish and dried fish are regulars, as is pork-called Oma
Bedor-which is fried, roasted, or cooked as a herb-in-fused curry.Another
interesting food is the silkworm, considered a delicacy in Bodoland. One also
cannot miss Maibra Jou, a special sweet and strong rice beer prepared from
sticky rice and amou, the fermentation agent.
Finally, while in Bodoland, one simply cannot
miss watching Bodo Women weave the colourful dokhona in their looms.
Words by Arijit Purkayastha
[Note: This article was originally published
in Assam Tribune (Sunday) weekly publication] Dated: December 20,2020
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