“Jharkhand Tribal Festivals – Important for JPSC, SSC & Other State Exams”

Jharkhand, a state deeply rooted in tribal heritage and natural beauty, is home to some of the most unique and vibrant indigenous festivals in India. From the symbolic Bhagta Parv in the Sarna temples of Tamar to the fierce and empowering Jani Shikar, where women don traditional weapons and go hunting, these festivals are living expressions of tribal identity, resistance, and spirituality. Celebrated by major tribes such as the Santhal, Oraon, Kharia, and Mal Pahariya, these events like Sendra Parv, Deshauli, Mukka Sendra, and Hal Hya not only mark seasonal transitions but also commemorate ancestral valor, agricultural cycles, and communal harmony. This guide provides a detailed exploration of Jharkhand’s lesser-known but culturally significant tribal and seasonal festivals, revealing their rituals, historical roots, unique customs, and their importance in local tradition and identity. Whether you’re preparing for competitive exams or seeking an in-depth cultural understanding, this comprehensive post offers everything you need to know about Jharkhand’s tribal festivals in one place.

Sarhul Festival

• Sarhul is the most important tribal festival in Jharkhand. *
• Celebrated in mid-March (Chaitra month, Shukla Paksha Tritiya). *
• It is a nature-centric and flower festival celebrated during spring season. *
• Sal (Shorea robusta) tree plays a central role as tribal people believe that their deity Bonga resides in the Sal tree. *
• Known by different names among various tribes:
  • Sutthi – Oraon tribe *
  • Baa Parab – Santhal tribe
  • Jakor – Kharia tribe
• Celebrated for four days with different rituals each day:

Day-wise Observance:

1. First Day:
   • Holy water is sprinkled at homes after fish consecration.
   • Village priest (Pahan) places Sal flowers on each household roof.
2. Second Day:
   • Worship of Sarai flowers at Sarna (sacred grove) by the Pahan.
   • Rituals include fasting, chicken sacrifice, and cooking “Sudi” (a khichdi made of rice and chicken) distributed as Prasad.
3. Third Day:
   • Sarhul flowers are immersed at a place called “Gidua”.
4. Fourth Day:
   • Based on tradition, the Pahan fills three earthen pots with fresh water.
   • Next morning, if water levels decrease, it predicts famine, if they remain constant, it’s considered a sign of good monsoon. *

Manda Festival

• Dedicated to Lord Shiva (Mahadev).
• Begins on Akshaya Tritiya in Baisakh month. *
• Celebrated by both Adivasi and Sadan communities.
• It is known as the most rigorous form of Shiva worship in Jharkhand.
• Male devotees are called “Bhagta”, female devotees are known as “Sokhtain”. *
• Rituals include:
  • Devotees hang upside down over burning fire at night – called “Dhuvansi”. *
  • Walking over burning coal is performed – known as “Phoolkhundi”. *
  • In some places, Bhagta’s back is pierced with iron hooks suspended by ropes. *
  • During this time, Bhagta’s mother or sister prays to Lord Shiva.

Karam Festival

• A nature-centric festival observed widely in tribal and Sadan communities. *
• Celebrates the importance of karma (action) in human life. *
• Sisters fast for the well-being of their brothers, similar to Bhai Dooj. *
• Celebrated on Shukla Paksha Ekadashi in Bhadrapada (Bhado) month. *
• Rituals involve:
  • Two branches of the Karam tree are planted in Akhara (dancing ground).
  • The Pahan narrates the story of Karma and Dharma, two mythological brothers.
  • All-night songs and traditional dances are performed. *
• Among Munda tribe, it is of two types:
  • Raj Karam: Household/family worship.
  • Desh Karam: Community celebration in the Akhara.
• Unmarried girls of Munda tribe grow “Java” (sprouts of 7 grains) like lentils, wheat, maize, gram, barley, peas, and offer it as prasad.
• The Java basket is immersed in river/pond before sunrise the next day. *

Sohrai Festival

• Celebrated on the next day of Diwali. *
• Primarily a festival for cattle, showing gratitude for livestock and harvest.
• Held in Kartika month, after the crops are harvested. *
• Considered the biggest festival of the Santhal tribe. *
• Tribes decorate house walls with natural colors and paintings using rice paste, coal, and clay. *
• Celebrated over five days:

Sohrai Day-wise Activities:

1. First Day:
   • Invocation of Jaher Era at God Tandi (cattle place).
   • Youth perform cattle worship (Go-pujan).
2. Second Day:
   • Cattle are bathed and painted.
   • Horns are smeared with oil and vermillion.
   • Decorated with flower garlands and paddy husks (Santau).
3. Third Day:
   • Youth collect ingredients like rice, lentils, spices from village.
4. Fourth Day:
   • Preparations continue.
5. Fifth Day:
   • Community prepares and shares Khichdi from collected food.

Dhan Buni (Rice Sowing) Festival

• Celebrated by both tribal and Sadan people.
• Marks the beginning of rice sowing. *
• Local rice beer (Hadia) is offered as tapan, followed by distribution of Prasad.
• Also called “Rice Baharlak”. *

Bahura Festival

• Celebrated on Krishna Paksha Chaturthi of Bhado month.
• Women observe this festival to pray for rainfall and children. *

Murga Ladai (Cock Fight)

• Recognized as a traditional cultural heritage of Jharkhand. *
• Involves cock fights where people bet on outcomes.
• A festive and competitive gathering held especially during fairs.

✅ Important for all Jharkhand-based exams – Remember key facts such as timings, tribes involved, core rituals, and symbolism.

Tusu Festival (Important – Frequently Asked in Exams)

Kadleta Festival

• Celebrated before Karma in Bhadon month.
• Aimed at appeasing the Frog spirit (Medhak bhoot).
• The Pahan (tribal priest) collects rice from the village and brews hadia (local liquor).
• Worship done using Sal, Bhelwa, and Kendu branches in Akhra.
• After worship, the branches are planted in fields to protect crops from diseases.
• Hen sacrifice is performed, and the meat is distributed as prasad.

Phagua (Fagua)

• Celebrated on Phalgun Purnima.
• Similar to Holi, a festival of colors.
• Tribals, along with the Pahan, burn the Samvat by planting Semal or Arandi branches.
• Hen sacrifice and Hadia offering are key rituals.
• Non-tribals celebrate by burning Samvat but do not perform sacrifices.
• The next day is known as DhurKhel.

Rog Khedna Festival

• A ritual to drive diseases out of the village.

Ashadhi Puja

• Celebrated by both tribals and Sadans (non-tribals) in the Ashadh month.
• Goat sacrifice in homes and courtyards and Hadia is offered.
• Believed to protect villages from diseases like smallpox.

Nawakhani Festival

• Celebrated after Karma festival.
• Meaning: ‘eating new grain’.
• New grains are brought home and processed using traditional pestle (musal) and mortar (okhli).
• Offered to deities and ancestors, followed by consumption of Dahi-Chuda (curd and flattened rice).
• Hadia is offered.

Surahi Puja

• Held in the Agahan month.
• Involves white rooster sacrifice and offering of Hadia.

Jitia Festival

• A mother’s fast for the long life and prosperity of her sons.

Chaad Festival

• Celebrated by Oraon tribe on Magh Purnima.
• Women and men of households with pregnant women do not participate.
• Men worship Goddess at Chandi Sthal.
• Involves sacrifice of white and red roosters, and white goat.

Dev Uthan Festival

• Held on Chaturdashi of Kartik Shukla Paksha.
• Aims to awaken the gods.
• Marks the beginning of marriage proposals after this date.

Bhai Bhikh Festival

• Celebrated once in 12 years.
• Sisters collect alms from brothers’ homes and invite them for meals.

Buru Festival (Important – Munda Tribe)

• Celebrated by the Munda tribe.
• Conducted on a hillock (Tand).
• Only men participate.

Chhath Festival (Highly Important – Frequently Asked)

• Celebrated twice a year in Chaitra and Kartik (March and November).
• Devoted to Sun God, offering Arghya during sunset.
• A major festival in Jharkhand.
• ‘Thekua’ sweets are distributed as offerings.

Bandna Festival (Frequently Asked)

• Held during Kartik Amavasya and celebrated for a week.
• Begins with Ohira songs.
• Dedicated to domestic animals.
• Animals are decorated with clothes, jewelry, and painted with folk art.

Rohin/Rohini Festival (Important)

• First festival of the calendar year in Jharkhand.
• A seed-sowing festival.
• From this day, farmers begin sowing seeds.
• No dances or songs are performed during this festival.

Hero Festival (Important – Ho Tribe)

• ‘Hero’ means to scatter or sow.
• Celebrated after Maghe and Baha festivals.
• Observed in Kolhan region, especially by the Ho tribe.
• Believed to ensure crop protection; skipping it is said to bring agricultural damage.

Java Festival (Important for Tribal Women)

• Celebrated in Bhadon month.
• Aimed at enhancing fertility and good matchmaking for unmarried tribal girls.

Key Notes for Exam Aspirants:

• Many questions in Jharkhand state exams are based on these tribal festivals.
• Look for the festivals marked with asterisks (*) in state exam guides – they are frequently asked.
• Focus on tribal associations, timing (month), rituals (sacrifice, hadia, etc.), and social customs for each festival.

Bhagta Parv

• Celebrated between Spring and Summer seasons.
• Predominantly observed in the Tamar region.
• Observed at Sarna temples as “Boodha Baba Puja”.
• On this day, villagers observe fast and carry the village priest on their shoulders to the Sarna site.

✅ Exam Point: Associated with Boodha Baba worship in Sarna religion.

Sendra Festival (Shikar Parv)

• Deeply tied to Uraon tribal tradition.
• The word “Sendra” literally means hunting.
• A notable variant is “Mukka Sendra” where tribal women wear male attire and hunt animals.

✅ Highlights:

• Reflects martial training, self-defense, and resource gathering.
• Celebrated in:
  • Vish Sendra (Vaishakh),
  • Fagun Sendra (Phagun),
  • Jeth Sendra (beginning of monsoon).
• “Chhachhra Bechna” involves bird hunting, with the Shikra bird playing a key role.

Jani Shikar (Women’s Hunt)

• Women participate in hunting while carrying infants on their backs (in betra).
• They wear male clothes, hunt using traditional weapons, and cook the game at Akhra ground.
• Pahan (tribal priest) distributes the meat.

✅ Unique Fact:

• Celebrated only in Jharkhand.
• Observed once every 12 years.
• Rooted in Uraon history: Commemorates the bravery of women who defended their land from Mughal invaders during the Khaddi Parv.
  • Led by Singhi Dai (king’s daughter) and Kela Dai (commander’s daughter).
  • Cannons were used by the Mughals, and many women were martyred.

Deshawali Festival

• Celebrated once every 12 years.
• Bhuiyhar-dhari offers buffalo (Kaada) sacrifice to Marang Buru deity.
• The sacrificed animal is buried in the ground.

✅ Ritualistic Significance: Rare tribal tradition with earth-centric sacrificial rites.

Maghe Parv

• Celebrated in the month of Magh.
• Marks the end of the agricultural year and beginning of a new cycle.
• Also known as the farewell of agricultural laborers (Dhangars).
• Dhangars are honored with payments and feast of Roti and Pitha.

Seasonal Importance: Reflects harvest gratitude and labor acknowledgment.

Sawani Puja

• Observed on Saptami of Shukla Paksha in Shravan month.
• Goat sacrifice is offered to the goddess.
• Hadia (traditional liquor) is used in rituals.

Note: A rainy season ritual tied to fertility and protection.

Hal Hya Festival

• Begins on the first day of Magh month.
• Farmers till land in a circular 2.5 turns using plough, considered auspicious.

Agricultural Belief: Ritual marks fertility and land purification.

Other Important Tribal Festivals of Jharkhand

Important: All above festivals are linked to agriculture, nature, or tribal traditions, and many are asked in Jharkhand government exams.

8. Pato Sarna Puja (Kharia Tribe)

• Celebrated in Vaishakh month.
• Animal sacrifices like buffalo, goat, and five roosters are offered.
• Conducted by a priest named Kalo.
• Milk is boiled at the Sarna site, and the direction of its spill is used to predict rainfall.
• A strong youth carries Kalo on his shoulder around the village.

Purpose: Protects humans and livestock from evil or disease.

Key Takeaways for Exams

• Festivals like Jani Shikar, Bhagta, Mukka Sendra, and Pato Sarna are unique to Jharkhand.
• Many rituals involve women’s active role, especially in hunting and defense.
• Agriculture, nature worship, and historical events form the base of tribal celebrations.
• Frequently asked in JPSC, JSSC, JTET, and other Jharkhand State Exams.