Guwahati, April 14 (IANS): Rongali Bihu, the most colourful festival of Assam started on Tuesday with a large number of people taking part in Bihu dance and songs.

They also organised various funfare activities to mark the occasion across the state.

Rongali Bihu starts on the last day of the month of 'Chot' (the month of Chaitra), which is on Tuesday.

The first day of Rongali Bihu is dedicated to the cattle and is celebrated as 'Goru Bihu'.

People, particularly the farming community, take their cattle to rivers, ponds and other water bodies and give them a ceremonial bath rubbing them with turmeric paste and other herbs. The cattle are also tied with new poghas (ropes).

The actual celebration of the Rongali Bihu starts from the second day -- Wednesday this year -- which is the first day of the month of Bohag, starting the Assamese New Year.

On the second day, people wear new clothes and seek blessings from their elders and heads of the family so that the year brings them prosperity, good health and good luck.

Assam's most prominent All Assam Students' Union (AASU) on Tuesday organised the annual Mukoli Bihu at the historic Judges Field in Guwahati with different colourful programmes, including the traditional Bihu dance and traditional dances and songs of different communities in Assam and other parts of the northeast.

A large number of people also came out at the Latasil playground in Guwahati and in other districts of the state to take part in the Bihu celebrations -- which will continue for next seven days.

People and the Bihutolis - venues where Bihu programmes are organised - were seen organising traditional games of the state like Dhop Khel, Tang Guti, Rosi Tona (tug of war), T ekeli Bhonga, Bhota Guti to celebrate the festival of Bihu in its true spirit.