Karma Puja – A Celebration of Nature, Brotherhood & Sisterhood

 

Karma Puja – A Celebration of Nature, Brotherhood
& Sisterhood

Today, the streets of Jharkhand are
filled with color, rhythm, and joy as young boys and girls, draped in vibrant red,
white, green, and yellow traditional attire, celebrate Karma Puja (Karam
Festival) with immense enthusiasm.

This age-old festival, rooted deeply
in Jharkhand’s tribal culture, is dedicated to Karam Devta – the God of
strength, youth, and vitality. It is a festival of brothers and sisters,
symbolizing prosperity, fertility, and the eternal bond of family. Falling on
the 11th day of the lunar month of Bhadra, it also marks the harvest
season, making it both cultural and agrarian in essence.

Rituals
& Traditions

• Youth venture into forests to collect wood, fruits, and
  flowers.

• Karam tree branches
  are brought to the village and planted at the center of celebration.

• Sisters observe fasts for the well-being of their
  brothers.

• Jawa seeds
  are planted and nurtured, later used in rituals.

• Villages echo with the sounds of Mandar, Dhol, and
  flute as people sing and dance in harmony.

A
Festival of Brothers & Sisters

One of the most emotional aspects of
Karma Puja is the bond between brothers and sisters. Married sisters,
residing in their in-laws’ homes, eagerly await their brothers to bring them
back to their parents’ home. Songs like “Parlai Bhado Mas, Laglak Naihar ke
Aas, Kabe Aitak Bhaiya Layu Nihar” beautifully reflect this longing, adding
depth and emotion to the celebration.

Even in difficult weather and
overflowing rivers, brothers never fail to reach their sisters—showing the
unbreakable bond nurtured by this festival. Women, adorned in red-and-white
attire with Karam flowers tucked in their hair, dance gracefully in
groups, symbolizing unity, love, and devotion.

Nature
is the True Deity

Unlike many other festivals, Karma
Puja has no idols or grand temples. Instead, nature itself is worshipped—the
earth, sun, seeds, and Karam tree are at the heart of devotion. This
makes the festival not just cultural, but also ecological, highlighting the
belief that “God is Nature.”

Folklore
of Karma & Dharma

Legend speaks of two brothers—Karma
and Dharma. When Dharma once insulted Karma, he faced endless hardships. On
advice from an old woman, he worshipped the Karam God with sprouted seeds of
wheat, barley, grams, moong, and urad. His penance and fasting pleased Karma
Devta, who forgave him, teaching generations the importance of respect,
balance, and harmony with nature.

Celebration
Across States

While most popular in Jharkhand,
Karma Puja is also celebrated in Bihar (Magadh region), West Bengal, and
Chhattisgarh, especially among tribal communities like the Oraon, Munda,
and Baiga. Everywhere, it is observed with vibrant dances, drum beats, and
heartfelt prayers for prosperity.

This festival is not just about
rituals; it is about heritage, identity, and the inseparable bond between
people and nature.

📸 Pictures: Young boys
and girls dancing during Karma Puja celebrations in Ranchi

✍️
Text & Photos by – Ashok Karan and Shasthi Ranjan
📖 ashokkaran.blogspot.com

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