The festivities and celebrations in Jharkhand serve as a spiritual canvas showcasing soul stirring enjoyment. The combination of antiquity and plenty make the state astonishing when it comes to its festivals and celebrations. Jharkhand is a tribal dominated state; hence nature has been an important part of their lives as well as culture. Sacred trees and their branches are ceremoniously planted in courtyards of the inhabitants Jharkhand. These trees or their parts are worshipped by devotees to please the Gods or Goddesses they are associated with. Some of the worshiping ceremonies include Karma Puja, Sarhul, Jitia Puja, etc. Other significant occasions include Poush Mela or Tusu Fair. This is celebrated during the festival of Makar Sankranti. During this festival, brightly coloured and decorated symbolic artefacts are carried by the people of Jharkhand. Tusu however is not associated with worshipping of Gods or Goddesses. It takes place on the harvest of new crops.
Popular Festivals of Jharkhand
Karma
This festival is also known as the religious festival and is celebrated with immense enthusiasm among the tribal inhabitants of Jharkhand. Devotees observe fast for the entire day, cultural performances take place around a branch of Sal tree which is kept in the middle of the ground.
Sohrai
Associated with the cattle, this Jharkhand festival is celebrated during Diwali, i.e. in the month of November. The cattle are washed and worshipped during this festival. It is a festival of great fun and excitement.
Sarhul
This is one of the primary celebrations of the tribal population of Jharkhand. The name of this festival means Worship of the Sal Tree. It is primarily the worship of nature, where local people also worship Goddess Sita as their Dhartimata. This festival is celebrated to protect the village from natural calamities and disasters.
Holi is also one of the most important festival of Jharkhand. The spring festival is enjoyed in Dhanbad in the Hindu month of Phalgun, which comes around February or March.
Diwali is another prominent festival in Jharkhand. In fact the celebrations start two days before the actual Diwali.
Ramanavami is a religious festival that is celebrated with great pomp and show. Fasts and prayers are observed by the people and a highly colourful ceremony is enjoyed.
Dussehra is another much awaited festival that lasts for ten days.
Basant Panchami
Basant Panchami is a popular festival in the state of Jharkhand. This festival welcomes the season of spring. Kite flying is the major attraction of this festival.
Chhath Puja is one of the most important festivals of Jharkhand. People worship the setting sun with great devotion and sincerity during this festival. This festival is celebrated twice a year. Once during the Hindu month of Chaitra which is the month of March, and also in the month of November that is the Kartik month according to the Hindu calendar.
Jityya Bhaiya Dooj is a prominent festival in the state of Jharkhand. The celebration is dedicated to the relationship and love between brothers and sisters.