Dharani Barman would take his cattle to a nearby pond or the river along with others for community bathing of the animals on Goru Bihu every year.

However, things have changed slightly this year owing to the lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus. “This time, we will not take the cows outside but bathe them on our premises,” Barman, a farmer in Nalbari, said.

After being bathed, the cattle are smeared with a mixture of turmeric and other herbs, cleaned with dighloti (a long, leafy plant) and garlanded with a new pogha (rope), before being brought back to the stable.

Goru Bihu is the first day of Rongali Bihu, which heralds spring and marks the beginning of the Assamese New Year.

Rongali Bihu functions are organised across Assam for a month.

However, Assam police on Friday issued instructions to Bihu committees across the state to limit celebrations to hoisting the flag and directed only five people to assemble for the ceremony, which should not last for more than 30 minutes.

Guwahati Bihu Sanmilani at Latasil Khelpathar here is regarded as the pioneer in organising Bihu functions, since 1952. However, this time it will only hoist the community flag.

“The last time we limited celebrations was in 1983 during the Assam Agitation, when we simply hoisted the flag. This time five persons will assemble for the ceremony,” Guwahati Bihu Sanmilani committee member Kailash Sarma said.

The All Assam Students Union also decided not to organise its Mukoli Bihu function at Judges Field here on Monday. It has been organising the function since 1982.

AASU general secretary Lurinjyoti Gogoi urged everybody to unitedly fight the Covid-19 threat, while greeting people on Rongali Bihu. “This time Bihu has to be celebrated at home, adhering to lockdown restrictions and maintaining social distancing,” he said.

“It is for the well-being of people that functions have been barred. We will comply with whatever directive comes from the administration. To observe something, we have to be alive as well,” a resident said.

Bihu committee members have also raised concerns on the well-being of artistes. The artistes were able to earn well from the month-long functions, which have been cancelled this year. Committee members urged companies and industries to come forward to aid the artistes.

“As Bihu functions will not be held this year, the companies can help the artistes from their corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds,” Sarma added.

The coronavirus outbreak has also barred community observation of rituals during Shab-e-Barat and Easter.

Governor Jagdish Mukhi and chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday greeted the people on Rongali Bihu.

Mukhi and Sonowal appealed to the people to celebrate at home adhering to social-distancing norms.

Dibrugarh legislator Prasanta Phukan on Sunday distributed traditional herbs and items to the people of Milan Nagar in Dibrugarh town to perform traditional rituals on Goru Bihu. He also appealed to the people to maintain social distancing during Bihu.

Additional reporting by Avik Chakraborty in Dibrugarh