Jharkhand’s Sarhul Festival

Sarhul is the festival of the celebrations of New Year in the Jharkhand by the tribal societies as a part of the local Sarna religion. It is celebrated in the month of Hinduism Chaitra, 3 days after the coming of the new moon. It is further a celebration of the starting of spring. The phrase ”Sarhul” is connected with the worship of trees. It is a festival where nature is given importance and venerated. In this year 2022, it fell on 04 April, Monday. Travellers across the globe visit the state of Jharkhand to experience this colourful festival of the eastern Indian state.
About the Festival: Sarhul is celebrated by various tribes in the state of Jharkhand, but most probably the Ho, Munda, and Oraon ones. While nature veneration is an essential part of the festival, there are further several cultural programmes that are enjoyed with it.

Among these various cultural events is “Baa Porob”, a festival of flowers where the people worship the Sal Tree as well as do a special Sarhul dance.

The festivities around Sarhul are done even more special with the various festive delicacies that are cooked like the rice dish called ‘’handia’’’, a baked or a dried fish dish known as ‘’fish sukha’’.

Apart from this, there are various varieties of dishes including mushrooms, vegetables, fruits, seeds, leaves, etc., which are idols and symbolic of the advent of Spring.
There is also one thing about this, after bathing early in the morning, the priest of the village checks the level of water inside the earthen pots. If the level of water has dropped, that is a sign of famine or less rain. And, on the other hand, if the water is about the exact same level, it states that there will be plenty of rain while the growing season.
I think it is a very significant and beautiful festival, and everyone should appreciate it!