Parineeta Borthakur: I’m celebrating Bihu with my family and close friends in Mumbai

Actress Parineeta Borthakur, currently seen as Chandrika Singh Chauhan in the television show Vasudha, is celebrating Magh Bihu away from Assam but with her heart firmly rooted in her culture. The actress, who hails from Assam, is marking the festival with family and close friends at her Mumbai home.

Sharing her festive plans, Parineeta says, “This year, I’m celebrating Magh Bihu with my family and close friends here in Mumbai. We’re cooking everything at home, which makes it special in its own way. The menu is a traditional Assamese spread featuring jolpan, including sesame seed ladoos, coconut ladoos, jaggery pitha, curd, puffed rice, poha (sira) and black rice kheer."

She adds with excitement, “I even managed to find kath aloo, which is a winter staple in Assamese households. It’s either cooked with lentils or deep-fried into chips, and I was really happy to find it here.”

However, Parineeta admits that celebrating Bihu in Assam is an emotion of its own. “Assam has a different feel altogether. I deeply miss celebrating Bihu back home,” she shares. “On Uruka, the night before Bihu, everyone comes together to cook, eat, sing and celebrate as one big community. That togetherness is truly special.”

Talking about the rituals, she says, “On the main Bihu day, we make the meji — the traditional bonfire — and offer food with gratitude, seeking blessings for prosperity and well-being. In the afternoon, we avoid rice and enjoy jolpan, luchi bhaji and simple dishes that carry the soul of Assamese culture.”

Apart from Vasudha, Parineeta has been part of shows like Pyaar Ka Pehla Adhyaya Shiv Shakti, Gupta Brothers, Bepannah and Swaragini.