Praveen Kumar Sahu
Dhenkanal
Sarhul is a vibrant festival that is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm in the state of Jharkhand. It is one of the most important festivals of the tribes in the region and is celebrated to mark the beginning of the New Year and the onset of spring.
In Jharkhand,some of the tribalcommunities namelyOraon Samaj, Ho Samaj, Santal Samaj, Mundari Samaj, Khadiya Samaj come among the tribals in Jharkhand celebrates this Sarhul festival of nature with great enthusiasm, but the time and method of celebrating it is different for everyone.. There is a law for all of them to celebrate this festival at different times and in different ways.
The festival is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Chaitra, which usually falls in the months of March or April. This year Sarhul will be celebrated on March24.The festival is dedicated to the worship of trees and the deities of nature, and is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm. One of the key highlights of the Sarhul festival is the offering of flowers, fruits, and other gifts to the deities. People sing folk songs and play traditional instruments like the nagada, mandar, and shehnai. The festival is also an occasion for people to come together and celebrate their culture and heritage. The Sarhul festival is celebrated differently in different parts of Jharkhand, with each tribe having its own unique customs and traditions. However, the basic essence of the festival remains the same – to celebrate nature and offer thanks to the deities for a good harvest. In some parts of the state, people make a special drink called Handia, which is made from rice and fermented in earthen pots. The drink is offered to the deities as part of the celebrations. One of the most famous Sarhul celebrations in Jharkhand takes place in the district of Gumla, where people from all over the state come together to participate in the festivities. The celebrations in Gumla are known for their vibrancy and energy, with people dressed in colorful attire and dancing to the beats of the traditional instruments. In recent years, the Jharkhand government has taken steps to promote and preserve the state’s tribal culture, including the celebration of festivals like Sarhul. The festival is an important part of Jharkhand’s cultural heritage and is a must-see for anyone interested in experiencing the state’s unique traditions and customs. The Sarhul festival is a colorful and vibrant celebration of nature and the deities in Jharkhand. The festival brings together people from different tribes and communities and is a celebration of the rich cultural heritage of the state.
(The writer is currently pursuing PG Diploma Course in Journalism (English) at IIMC Dhenkanal)
