Preparations for Karma Puja in Full Swing, Tribal 22 Padha Sarna Committee Outlines the Program
Demand for Holiday on Karma Puja, Appeal to Chief Minister for Two-Day Public Holiday
Ranchi:— The major nature festival of the tribal community, Karma Puja, will be celebrated with great fervor this year. In this regard, a meeting of the Adivasi 22 Padha Sarna Committee, Sadma Ormanjhi–Kanke region was held on Friday under the chairmanship of Committee President Babulal Mahli. During the meeting, the dates and schedule of the puja were finalized.
As per the decision:
September 2 will mark Sanjot.
On September 3, rituals will be held in every akhra under the guidance of village priests (pahans), with worship, drum beats, and traditional dance till 10:30 PM.
September 4 will be Parna.
September 5 will mark the Visarjan (immersion).
The committee directed all pahans to ensure the cleanliness of their respective akhras. Meanwhile, the tradition of Karmiteen sisters observing fasts for 11, 9, 7, or 5 days will also be followed. It was further decided that after the immersion, active members of the 22 Padha Committee and community leaders will gather in traditional attire with bullocks and buffaloes at Mahadev Manda Chowk, Madhukama, by 2 PM. From there, under the banner of 22 Parha, they will proceed together towards Ind Mela, Sutiabe Garh, Pithoria. The committee emphasized that Karma Puja is the biggest cultural and religious festival of the Adivasi–Moolvasi community. Even after 25 years of Jharkhand’s formation, the festival has not been recognized with a government holiday, which they termed unfortunate. Therefore, the committee has appealed to Chief Minister Hemant Soren to declare at least a two-day public holiday on the occasion of Sanjot and the main puja day, so that the festival can be celebrated with due respect.
The meeting was attended by Ramesh Chandra Oraon, Harilal Munda, Ramesh Oraon, Lalita Munda, Jila Parishad Kamisner Munda, Dhaneshwar Munda, Jhirga Pahan, Ranjit Pahan, Bhataru Pahan, Geeta Kachhap, Ravi Munda, Anjan Munda, Lahsan Munda, Sanjay Munda, Soni Devi, Raju Oraon, Mitku Munda, and several others.
