SARHUL Jharkhand is a land of tribes. Different tribes are united by festivals and customs. Sarhul is an important festival of Munda, Oraon, Ho, and many other tribes. Sarhul literally means "worship of sal". It's celebrated every year at the start of spring when the trees blossoms and new growth begins. The tradition is as old as 2000 years, from then to today, the tribals pray to the village God who protects the tribe. The Saal flowers are used for the worship of the deity during Sarhul. Sarhul signifies new beginnings, joy and togetherness. The worship of Sal tree symbolizes the worshipping of Mother Nature. All the prayers and offering are believed to go to Mother Nature that resides in tree. On the day of the festival, homes are decorated, a lot of delicious food is made, women wear white saree with red borders and perform Sarhul dance to mark the advent of New Year.
KOLHAIYA MELA Kolhaiya Mela is celebrated in the Hindu month of Maagh, particularly on the day of Basant Panchmi. The fair is patently held in Chatra District of the state of Jharkhand. It is a famous cattle fair which attracts natives and people from other states as well.The mela is said to have a religious significance too. Though principally a cattle fair in Chatra, like the Kundri Mela, the Kolhaiya mela too is held with a great zeal. People trade their cattles for money and also buy them for domestic uses. The fair has great pomp and show. There are stalls of food and jewelleries that are loved by the locals.
BAHA The Baha festival, i.e. the flower festival is celebrated by the Santhal tribe. Mohul, Palash, Simul, Mango, Saal and many more beautiful colourful flowers mark the festival of Flowers. The festival extends for three days and is celebrated between February and March. In the month of Falgun as per the Hindu calendar. The first day is known as the "Nayake Maha" (Priest Day), when the priest performs the rituals and purifies the houses and the diety.The second day is "Serva Maha", which witnesses the worship of flowers and accompanies song and dance. The third and last day is "Rasca Day" which is meant for total enjoyment. People eat together and dance in a community.The festival cherishes the importance of flowers which adds to the beauty of nature with colors and aromas. Flowers give the nature a sparkle that cannot be matched. Birds and bees can be seen all around, chirping and drinking nectar from flowers respectively.Santhals celebrate Baha when new flowers bloom especially on the trees of ‘Sal.' The flowers of Sal tree is a sacred mark of Santhals that they worships.With these flowers, the life begins. The Santhals celebrate Baha each year to mark the communion of man with nature.
SOHRAI The Baha festival, i.e. the flower festival is celebrated by the Santhal tribe. Mohul, Palash, Simul, Mango, Saal and many more beautiful colourful flowers mark the festival of Flowers. The festival extends for three days and is celebrated between February and March. In the month of Falgun as per the Hindu calendar. The first day is known as the "Nayake Maha" (Priest Day), when the priest performs the rituals and purifies the houses and the diety.The second day is "Serva Maha", which witnesses the worship of flowers and accompanies song and dance. The third and last day is "Rasca Day" which is meant for total enjoyment. People eat together and dance in a community.The festival cherishes the importance of flowers which adds to the beauty of nature with colors and aromas. Flowers give the nature a sparkle that cannot be matched. Birds and bees can be seen all around, chirping and drinking nectar from flowers respectively.Santhals celebrate Baha when new flowers bloom especially on the trees of ‘Sal.' The flowers of Sal tree is a sacred mark of Santhals that they worships.With these flowers, the life begins. The Santhals celebrate Baha each year to mark the communion of man with nature.
KARMA Karam is tribal festival celebrated in the month of August and September during harvest. The festival is held on the 11th day of a full moon (Purnima) of the Hindu month of Bhado (Bhadra). In this festival many tribes of Jharkhand worship Karam-Devta, the god of power, youth and youthfulness. The festival is accompanied by song and dance. Cheerfulness surrounds the day of Karam festival. Drumbeat is the basic beat of dance that makes the feat tap and body shake. The rituals start from the very dawn of the day. Villagers march to jungle on the beat of drums. They cut branches of the Karam tree after worshiping it. These branches are pious and brought to the village by unmarried girls. On the way back home the girls chant and sing in the praise of Karam God. The branches are planted in the center of the ground which is plastered with cow-dung and decorated with flowers.Karma dance which is also popularly known as Karma Naachis is performed by the tribes together. The dancers dance throughout the night forming a circle with their hands around each other’s’ waists. They pass the branch to each other while dancing. It is a festival that celebrates the liveliness within us.
LAWALONG MELA The lawalong Mela is the biggest cattle fair in the state of Jharkhand celebrated every year on the occasion of aghan purnima. It is celebrated in the month of November or December. People from far away villages participate in the fair to sell aur buy domestic animals. It is held in the Chatra District of Jharkhand. The fare is said to be as old as originating from the year 1880. Since then, till now the festival is celebrated every year. The fair is accompanied with great pomp and show of dance and culture of tribal.
BHADLI MELA On the day of Makar Sankranti the Bhadli Mela is organised in Itkhori in Chatra District of Jharkhand. The ancient temple in Ithkhori belongs to Goddess Kali and Lord Shiva where the tribals worship the deities and commence the celebrations. This is one of the greatest historic attractions of the place. It was built over 1200 years ago, Emperor Gupta and Pala constructed this temple. The sculptures it houses is ancient with an undeniable splendid craftsmanship. Apart from being a fair, it is also a religious event that gathers the interest of people all over the state. The special festive feasts shared and sold excites tourists as well as natives. Like any other tribal festival of Jharkhand, this fair includes dance performances too.
