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Jharkhand is a state in the eastern part of India. It’s famous for its gorgeous waterfalls, Jain temples, and exquisite wildlife animals. Comprising ancient temples and shrines, the state depicts a different story during special occasions. Many festivals in Jharkhand introduce you to the rich cultural heritage of the region, and offer you an immersive experience. The state illuminates during times of celebrations. Try to partake in these festivals for a cultural experience, especially if you are travelling to Jharkhand for the first time.
10 Festivals In Jharkhand
There are several exciting festivals in Jharkhand that are celebrated in the state by the locals. Some of them are mentioned below.
1. Sarhul
Photo: Gurpreet Singh Ranchi / Wikimedia Commons
Celebrated in spring, the festival of Sarhul is the time when the Saal trees bloom new flowers. In this festival, the village deity is worshipped, who is the protector of the tribe. The village priest, or Pahan, fasts for a few days, and early in the morning, he is supposed to take a bath and don a new dhoti. The previous evening, the Pahan then takes new earthen pots and fills them all up with fresh water, and then forecasts the weather conditions. It is one of the famous festivals in Jharkhand.
Month Of Celebration: March or April
2. Tusu Parab
Photo: Anupmahato / Wikimedia Commons
This festival is majorly celebrated around Bundu, Tamar, and Raidih areas of the state of Jharkhand. Tusu is a great harvest festival celebrated in the winter months, specifically on the last day of Paush. It is also for unmarried girls where they adorn a wooden or bamboo frame with paper and then give it to the river nearby. At the end of the festivities, the immersion of the idol of Tusu is preceded by songs that have a melancholic tune. These songs are symbolic of the simplicity and innocence of the native and tribal people.
Month Of Celebration: January
3. Hal Punhya
Photo: Chris Robert / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Hal Punhya is one of the popular festivals in Jharkhand that begins in the fall of winter. The very first day of the month of Magh, also called ‘Akhain Jatra’ or ‘Hal Punhya’, is deemed to be the beginning of ploughing. The farmers plough two and a half circles of their land to commence their auspicious, festive morning. This day is also a symbol of good fortune. Hal Punhya festival is embodying the onset of the season of harvest. It indicates good fortune and is celebrated in winter.
Month Of Celebration: January
4. Bandana
Photo: Junior Verhelst / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Bandana is one of the most important festivals in Jharkhand celebrated during the black moon in the month of Kartik. This festival is particularly for animals. Tribals have a close relationship with animals and pets. In this festival, people wash, decorate, clean, paint and put gorgeous ornaments on their cows and bulls. The belief behind Bandana is that animals are a crucial part of life and also have souls just like human beings. It is a very interesting folk festival.
Month Of Celebration: October to November
5. Jani Shikar
Photo: Picofolkujur / Wikimedia Commons
Jani Shikar is a festival that is held once in every 12 years. The local women change into men’s clothing and go hunting in the jungles. This festival and the tradition is performed in memory of the Kurukh women who drove away the Mohammedans in Rohtasgarh. The fort of Rohtasgarh was attacked about 12 times in 12 years and each time the Mohommedans with Alauddin Khilji as their leader, was driven away by the tribal Kurukh women, who had donned men’s clothes in the battlefield. This is one of the best cultural festivals in Jharkhand to witness for tourists.
Month Of Celebration: March to June
6. Chhath Pooja
Chhath is an old Hindu festival and probably the only Vedic festival that is dedicated to the Sun God, Surya, also called Surya Shashti. The Chhath Puja is performed in order to convey gratitude to God Surya for sustaining life on our planet and to request and pray for the granting of our wishes. The Sun is worshipped during the Chhath festival to foster well-being, prosperity and peace. In Hinduism, Sun worship is deemed to help with the cure of a variety of diseases, like leprosy, and helps ensure that the body stays healthy and imparts longevity and prosperity for everyone.
Month Of Celebration: November
7. Jawa
Photo: Biswarup Ganguly / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Celebrated majorly by the unmarried tribal girls to foster good fertility and a stable household, Jawa is an ancient tribal tradition that is still practised by the tribes of Jharkhand. The unmarried tribal girls celebrate the festival with much enthusiasm. It has its own kind of folk songs and dance. This is hosted mainly for the hope of good fertility and a prosperous household in the future. The unmarried girls decorate a basket with germinating seeds with the belief that the worship of good germination of the seeds/grains would also increase their fertility.
Month Of Celebration: September
8. Karam
Photo: Gurpreet Singh Ranchi / Wikimedia Commons
The Karam festival is the worship of the Karam devata who is the god of power and youth. Karam is celebrated on the 11th moon in the month of Bhadra. Groups of young villagers go to the forest to collect wood, fruits and flowers since they are required during the pooja of Karam devata. During this time, people make a group to sing and dance in their folk ways. The entire valley seems to be dancing with the drumbeat day of the phases. This is one of the rare examples of such a vital and vibrant youth festival in Jharkhand’s tribal area.
Month Of Celebration: September
9. Rohini
Photo: Randy Fath / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Rohini is probably the first festival of the state of Jharkhand. It is the festival of circulating seeds in the land. Farmers begin disseminating seeds from this specific day. Although the festival has some rituals, there is almost no song or dance for this festival. It is a widely celebrated tribal festival in the state of Jharkhand.
Month Of Celebration: July
10. Sohrai
Photo: yadav.sadarhyd / Wikimedia Commons
Sohrai is a popular festival celebrating the care of domestic animals such as cows, bulls and buffaloes. Since these animals are important in an agricultural and farming community, taking care and ensuring their welfare is an extremely important ritual during Sohrai. It is celebrated immediately after the eve of diwali, on the day of the new moon. In the evening, lamps are lit and the next day all the cattle and domestic animals are washed, donned with vermilion and garlands. The festivities include games like bull fights.
Month Of Celebration: October to November
There are many festivals in Jharkhand, celebrated to mark harmony and prosperity throughout the year. You can also experience these culturally rich festivities on your next trip to the beautiful state of Jharkhand. So, if you are a culture vulture, plan your trip with TripXL now.
Cover Photo: Dibakar Roy / Unsplash
