Kati Bihu 2026: Date (18 October), Kongali Bihu Rituals, Tulsi, Saki Lamps and Akash Banti
Kati Bihu, also called Kongali Bihu, falls on Sunday 18 October 2026, the first day of the Assamese month Kati. This guide explains the date and its caveat, why it is the 'poor' Bihu, the tulsi puja, the earthen saki lamps lit in the paddy fields, the akash banti sky lamp, and how Assamese families abroad can keep the day.
Kati Bihu, also called Kongali Bihu, falls on Sunday 18 October 2026, the first day of the Assamese month Kati. This guide explains the date and its caveat, why it is the 'poor' Bihu, the tulsi puja, the earthen saki lamps lit in the paddy fields, the akash banti sky lamp, and how Assamese families abroad can keep the day.
Quick answer: Kati Bihu 2026, also called Kongali Bihu, falls on Sunday 18 October 2026 in Assam. It is the first day of the Assamese month Kati and the day after the Tula Sankranti; the date is calculated by the solar-month rule, so follow the Assam government holiday list. On this quiet evening festival, families light earthen lamps (saki) near the tulsi plant, the granary and the paddy fields and pray for a good harvest.
Kati Bihu is the simplest of Assam's three Bihus. There are no great feasts. Instead, it is a time of lamps, prayer and hope while the rice crop is still growing. This guide explains the date, the meaning and the main customs.
Kati Bihu 2026 date
| Event | Date (India) |
|---|---|
| Tula Sankranti (Sun enters sidereal Libra) | Sat 17 Oct 2026, evening (about 7:30 PM IST, calculated) |
| Kati Bihu (first day of Kati) | Sun 18 Oct 2026 |
| Kojagari Lakshmi Puja (Assam) | Sun 25 Oct 2026 night |
The Assamese calendar is a solar calendar. Each month begins when the Sun enters a new sign of the zodiac. In 2026, the Sun enters Tula (Libra) on the evening of Saturday 17 October, so the month of Kati begins on Sunday 18 October. This date is calculated by the solar-month rule. Please follow the Assam government holiday list for the official date.
Why it is called Kongali, the 'poor' Bihu
Assam's three Bihus follow the farming year. Bohag Bihu (Rongali, the joyful Bihu) in spring marks the new year. Magh Bihu (Bhogali, the Bihu of feasting) in winter comes after the harvest. Between them comes Kati Bihu.
At this time of year, the paddy is green in the fields but not yet ready. The stock of rice from the last harvest is nearly finished, and the granaries are almost empty. That is why the festival is called Kongali, meaning poor or lacking. It is celebrated with simplicity and prayer rather than feasting. The mood is one of patience and hope that the crop will grow well.
The tulsi puja
The sacred tulsi (holy basil) plant is at the heart of Kati Bihu. Many families plant a tulsi sapling in the courtyard, or clean and decorate the existing plant, often on a small raised platform.
In the evening, the women of the house light a lamp at the base of the tulsi, offer prayers and bow before it. In many homes, the lamp is lit at the tulsi every evening through the month of Kati. Families pray for the health of the household and for a good harvest.
Saki lamps in the paddy fields
A saki is a small earthen lamp filled with mustard oil and a cotton wick. On the evening of Kati Bihu, families light saki in several places:
- At the foot of the tulsi plant in the courtyard.
- At the bhoral (granary), praying that it will soon be full again.
- In the garden (bari) and near the cattle shed.
- In the paddy fields, where the lamps shine among the growing rice.
The lamps in the fields are both a prayer and a practical tradition. They are commonly said to draw insects away from the crop, and they express the farmer's care for the young paddy. In some villages, farmers also walk around the fields and recite traditional verses to protect the crop.
Akash banti: the sky lamp
Another custom of the season is the akash banti, or sky lamp. A lamp is hung at the top of a tall bamboo pole so that it shines high above the house or the field. In many families, the akash banti is lit through the month of Kati.
As commonly explained, the sky lamp shows the way to the souls of ancestors, and it is also linked with protecting the crop. The practice is similar to the lamps lit in other parts of India during the months of Kartik and Karthika.
Kati Bihu and the October festival season in Assam
Kati Bihu comes in the middle of a busy festival season in Assam. Navratri runs from 11 to 19 October 2026, Durga Puja is celebrated widely, and Dussehra falls on Tuesday 20 October. Kojagari Lakshmi Puja follows on the night of Sunday 25 October 2026. For the full picture, see Dussehra 2026 in Assam and October 2026 festivals state-wise.
Kati Bihu for Assamese families abroad
- Keep a tulsi plant: A potted tulsi indoors or on a balcony is enough. Clean the pot and decorate it on Kati Bihu.
- Light a lamp safely: Light a small diya or saki at the tulsi in the evening. In apartments, follow your building's fire-safety rules, and never leave a lamp unattended.
- Remember the fields: Even far from Assam, say a short prayer for farmers and for a good harvest. This is the spirit of the day.
- Teach the three Bihus: Explain to children how Rongali, Kongali and Bhogali Bihu follow the life of the rice crop.
- Connect with community: Assamese associations in many cities mark the Bihus. Check their official announcements for any gatherings.
- Check the date: The date is decided by the Sun's entry into Tula. Families abroad can follow the Assamese calendar used at home or the Assam government holiday list.
Frequently asked questions
When is Kati Bihu 2026?
Kati Bihu 2026 is on Sunday 18 October 2026, the first day of the Assamese month Kati and the day after the Tula Sankranti. The date is calculated by the solar-month rule, so follow the Assam government holiday list.
Why is Kati Bihu called Kongali Bihu?
Kongali means poor or lacking. Kati Bihu comes at a time when the paddy is still growing in the fields and the granaries of farming families are nearly empty, so it is celebrated simply, without feasts.
What are the three Bihus of Assam?
Assam has three Bihus linked to the farming year: Bohag (Rongali) Bihu in spring, which marks the Assamese New Year; Kati (Kongali) Bihu in autumn, when the crop is growing; and Magh (Bhogali) Bihu in winter, after the harvest.
What is a saki?
A saki is a small earthen lamp. On Kati Bihu, families light saki at the foot of the tulsi plant, at the granary, in the garden and in the paddy fields.
What is akash banti?
Akash banti means 'sky lamp'. A lamp is hung high on a tall bamboo pole. In many families it is lit through the month of Kati, and it is traditionally linked with guiding the souls of ancestors and with protecting the crop.
Can I celebrate Kati Bihu outside Assam?
Yes. You can plant or tend a tulsi plant, light a lamp at its base in the evening, offer a simple prayer for a good harvest and for your family, and share the meaning of the day with your children.
Editor's note
Editor's note (6 October 2026): This guide has been restored at its original address after the earlier version was lost. The Kati Bihu date is calculated by the solar-month rule (the day after the Tula Sankranti) and should be checked against the Assam government holiday list. Customs vary from district to district and family to family. We do not list events or venues.
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