Festival

Festival - Purulia

BARANTI

All the festivals are celebrated in this area with full of joy and happiness. Tribe Santal's major festival is Bandna or Bandana. In this festival they play music, dance together and eat meat based special dishes like "Manser Pitha". They also take local liquor as a part of their culture named "Hadia". 'Bhadu' is another festival started by Panchakot Raj of Kashipur after the death of King's daughter named Bhadrabati and now days it is enjoyed by the local mass. Karma is a tribe festival in Puruliya where tribal people worship the tree whose local name is 'Karam'.

Discover a different Purulia. This western most district of West Bengal is part of the Chotanagpur plateau. The landscape is rocky and undulating. The ciduous forests are rich in bio diversity. Tribal ethos enriches the mystic charm and natural beauty of this land of red soil and red blooms of Palash flower. The region is the home of different tribal communities like Santhals, Kurmis, Kherias, Shabars, Birhors etc. Songs and dances are an intrinsic part of the life of the tribal people. The indigenous people of Purulia say – Senge Jujung, Kajigo Durung – we dance, as we walk and sing, as we speak. Purulia, to some, is synonymous to Chau – a vigorous form of masked dance and drama, known for its style, elegance and strong visual presentation. There are more than 400 Chau groups in the district and seeing their performance in full gear will be a memory to cherish. Experience the pulsating rhythm of Madol and Jhumur songs in your bloodstream amidst serene nature.

The Santhal dance is considered to be one of the best tribal folk dances of India, which offers immense vibrancy and cheerfulness. Santhal dance is generally performed by both the men and women of the Santhali tribe. While performing, the male Santhali dancers are dressed up in dhoti and make use accessories, like turban, tree It is performed to the glory of nature. Santhali dance is accompanied with folk music instruments like flutes, pipes, drums and cymbals. The Baranti visitors who are interested about santhal dance Baranti Wild Life & Nature Study Hut arrange special programmes (costing Rs. 1300 to 1500 for each 2 hours programmes) The dance is performed by both the men and women of the Santhali tribe( 30-50 members) living in Batka Village near Baranti in Balitora Gram Panchyet. Purulia. The club who are performing this dance is “Batka Adibasi Hara Rakab Gaota”.

And as you move back homeward after your tour in Purulia with the slowly fading drum beats reverberating in your ears, you will feel that unknowingly you have endeared the music of the roots, the vibrant dances of the braves, the meandering streams and the simple lifestyle and philosophy of the people.

Shiber Gajan (Charak)

Gajan is a very popular festival in Purulia. Gajan songs are sung in praise of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati in the Bengali month of Chaitra. Singing and dancing is an integral part of this celebration. The dancers sometimes dress up as Hara Parvati and move around the village, dancing to the accompaniment of the Dhol, Kanshi and Flute. This is also popularly called Chait Parab, Chau Parab. This is associated with such deities as Shiva, Neel and Dharmathakur Gajan is celebrated  at Muradi Village near Baranti.

Disum Sendra
Hunting festival of Santhals in Ajodhya Hill areas on Baishakhi Purnima. Also known as Shikar Parab. Every year in the Bengali month of Baisakh, during full moon hunting festival is held. (mainly at the Ayodhya Hills area). This festival is like a fair which is also locally called Disum Sendra. The local tribals believe that the young boys attain adulthood during this fest. The festival is with celebrated with much gaiety. The local brew (Mahul juice) is drunk together with the beat of drums, groups of young men set out for the hunting adventure with torches in their hands.

Dharma Thakur-er Puja O Mela From 15 April to 15 May. Images in various shape and form are visible in various parts of the district. This festival is mainly held during the time of 15 April to 15 May. Dharmathakur is a Hindu god worshipped by villagers in the traditional Rarh region in the present day Indian state of West Bengal as one of their special village gods. He is represented by a shapeless stone daubed with vermillion and is normally placed under a tree or placed in the open, but sometimes enshrined in a temple. Dharmathakur is worshipped mainly by castes Bauri, Bagdi, Hari, Dom etc.

Rohini Utsav  On 13 Jaistha (28/29 May). Cultivators sow seeds and celebrates

Erohk Sim In Asarh (15 June to 15 July)- seed sowing festival of Santhals

Batauli On last day of Shraban(15/16 August) . Mansa Puja is celebrated  at Muradi Village near Baranti

Manasa Pooja - On last day of Shraban(15/16 August) . Mansa Puja is celebrated  at Muradi Village near Baranti

Karam Parab After completion of paddy cultivation

Chata Parab  Kings and rich landlords used to patronize the festival. Popular at Ind ( Barabazar PS), Chkaltor and Bangabari(PS Purulia Mfs.),celebrated throughout the night with dance and songs .

Bandhna Parab Held after Kalipuja. Popular among Kurmi, Bhumij, Korha, Lodha communities. To Santhals and Mundas this is known as Sohray. This Festibal is celebrated  in several tribal villages at Baranti area.

Jathel Utsav Popular among Santhals held during Agrahayan (15 Nov. To 15 Dec.)

Tusu  
Tusu is a religious festival where the village girls and women sing Tusu songs during the month of Paush, the first month of winter. Tusu songs are sung for whole night of ‘Makar Sankranti', the last day of the month of Paush. Women exchange garlands and fry eight variety of pulses which are given as an offering to the goddess Tusu. This is very popular festival  in Muradi Village.

Bhadu

Bhadu Puja is observed in the Bengali month of Bhadra (mid-August-mid-September) and is a very common festival of the villagers of Purulia. People believe that worshipping Bhadu Devi enables childless women to bear children. With this belief the women sing Bhadu songs and worship. This is also a favorite Festival in this area.

Palash Parban Palash Parban is a festival held during Dol  (Feb-March) in Purulia where the Palash and Simul trees are in full bloom.

Bandna Parab This is another folk festival of Purulia. Bandna means ‘bandana' or worship. This festival is celebrated during Kali Puja in autumn. Bandna Parab welcomes ‘Shashya Devi'(Goddess of grains) by worshipping her through different rituals.

Karam Parab Karam Parab is celebrated with Jaowa ( a bamboo basket full of saplings of different crops) during the month of Bhadra (mid-August-mid-September). During this festival Jaowa is prepared by sowing seeds of these crops in the basket and when the saplings emerge, turmeric water is poured on them. During day time the baskets are kept in a dark room so that the saplings do not turn green. In the evening these baskets are kept in the open and young maidens sing and dance entwining arms around these Jaowas.

Raas Mela Raas Utsav is observed to celebrate the meeting of Lord Krishna with Shri Radhika and her other companions during Agrahayan Purnima. This Utsav is celebrated in Purulia town and Muradi Village near Baranti.

Bhansingh Pooja-O –Parab There is no image of Bhansingh who is regarded as God to protect cattle, held during the Bengali month of Magh(15 January to 15 February).

Akhan Jatra First day of Magh is regarded as Akhan Jatra, believed as a very auspicious day.

Chandi Pooja  Khelai Chandi Pooja held during month of Magh. Popular fair is associated with Pooja

Magh Sim Popular festivals for Santhals, held during month of Magh.

Baha Spring festival for Santhals which is known as Sarjan Baha or Sarhool to Mundas. Nightlong song and dance is associated with the celebration.

Bhejabindha  In Bhejabindha archery and Murgi Larhai (cock fight ) is a part of festival. The defeated cock become the property of the owner of the wining cock. Popular among santhals.