The Sarhul festival, the most popular tribal festival in the Jharkhand region, marks the start of the new year. It is enjoyed by tribal communities of the local Sarna religion, including the Munda, Ho, and Oraon tribes.

This lively festival is celebrated every year in early spring during the first month of the Hindu calendar, on the third day of the moon or the fortnight of ‘Chaitra’. Travelers from all over the world visit Jharkhand to catch a glimpse of this colorful holiday state in eastern India. This year, it will fall on April 4, Monday.

Here are some amazing aspects of this magnificent festival that you should check out:

Story

There are several myths about the festival. Sarhul means tree worship. Close to nature, the Oraon tribe perpetuates this festival by venerating trees and other elements of nature. One of the legends describes that the villagers in the spring offered prayers to the god of the village or the protector of their tribe.

Importance

This festival is usually important for the Oraon tribe. However, the Santals also appreciate it with great fervor. All rituals are held under the Sal tree, in the sacred grove known as “SarnaSthal” or “Jaher”. To please the Gods and Mother Nature, tribal peoples offer fruits, flowers, and sometimes consecrate animals and birds to them.

While reverence for nature is a significant perspective of this unique festival, many cultural programs are enjoyed side by side. The men, women and children of the tribes wear beautiful ornaments and sing, dance and rejoice.

“Baa Porob” is one of the main attractions in Sarhul where Sarna tribe men and women dress in colorful and traditional dresses to perform traditional dances to the popular folk tunes of the region. The traditional clothes worn by men are called “Karia” and women are called “Khanria”.

Additionally, the people of the various tribes drink ‘Hadia’, a locally made beer that is brewed by hand using a mixture of rice, water and tree leaves.

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