Fairs and Festivals

Jharkhand is vibrant with fairs and festivals that reflect its tribal roots, folk traditions, and spiritual diversity. These celebrations are often tied to agriculture, nature worship, and seasonal changes, and are marked by music, dance, rituals, and community feasts.

🌾 Major Tribal Festivals of Jharkhand

🌸 1. Sarhul

  • Celebrated by: Oraon, Munda, and Ho tribes
  • When: Spring (March-April)
  • Significance: Worship of Sal tree and nature deities; marks the beginning of the new year.
  • Highlights: Traditional dances, drumming, drinking handia (rice beer), and rituals in sacred groves (Sarna sthal).

🌿 2. Karma

  • Celebrated by: Oraon, Munda, Kharia, and other tribes
  • When: August-September
  • Significance: Worship of the Karam tree for prosperity and good harvest.
  • Highlights: Young girls and boys perform group dances around the planted Karam branch.

🐄 3. Sohrai

  • Celebrated by: Santhal, Munda, and other tribes
  • When: During Diwali (October–November)
  • Significance: Cattle worship and harvest festival
  • Highlights: Sohrai paintings on mud walls, animal care rituals, community meals.

🌕 4. Jitia

  • Celebrated by: Tribal and non-tribal women (mainly in southern Bihar and Jharkhand)
  • When: Ashwin month (Sept–Oct)
  • Significance: Mothers fast for the well-being of their children.
  • Highlights: Fasting rituals and folk storytelling.

🔥 5. Maghe Parab

  • Celebrated by: Ho, Munda, and Oraon tribes
  • When: Mid-January
  • Significance: Marks the end of winter and arrival of spring.
  • Highlights: Traditional dances, feasts, and nature worship.

🌈 6. Phaguwa/Phagun Parab

  • Celebrated as the tribal version of Holi.
  • Full of colors, singing, dancing, and traditional games.

🛕 Other Popular Festivals in Jharkhand

🎉 1. Tusu Parab

  • Celebrated by: Santhal and Kurmi communities
  • When: During Makar Sankranti (January)
  • Significance: Celebrates the harvest and village goddess Tusu.
  • Highlights: Colorful processions and folk songs known as Tusu geet.

🌞 2. Chhath Puja

  • Popular among: Non-tribal communities
  • When: 6 days after Diwali
  • Significance: Sun worship for health and prosperity.
  • Highlights: Ritual bathing in rivers, offerings to the rising and setting sun.

🎪 3. Kundri Mela (Simdega)

  • A tribal fair held in Simdega district.
  • Combines religious rituals with folk performances, archery contests, and markets.

📿 4. Rath Yatra (Deoghar)

  • Celebrated at the Baidyanath Temple, Deoghar.
  • Devotees pull the chariot of Lord Jagannath, like in Puri.

🛍️ Fairs (Melas)

  • Chatra Mela – Religious and cattle fair.
  • Palamu Mela – Combines tribal culture with trade and fun.
  • Mudma Mela– Combines tribal culture with trade and fun.
  • Seraikela Chhau Festival – Showcases the world-famous Chhau dance form.