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[[File:Karam puja in jharkhand.jpg|thumb| | [[File:Karam puja in jharkhand.jpg|thumb|Karam puja in [[Jharkhand]]]] | ||
[[File:Karam puja 4.jpg|thumb|Karam puja in Jhargram]] | [[File:Karam puja 4.jpg|thumb|Karam puja in Jhargram]] | ||
'''Karam''' | '''Karam''' is a harvest festival celebrated in Indian states of [[Jharkhand]], [[Bihar]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[Chhattisgarh]], [[Assam]], [[Odisha]] and [[West Bengal]]. It is dedicated to the worship of Karam-Devta (Karam-Lord/God), the god of power, youth and youthfulness.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.telegraphindia.com/culture/wangala-tusu-karma-8-lesser-known-harvest-festivals/cid/1688761|title=Wangala, Tusu, Karma: 8 lesser-known harvest festivals|publisher=m.telegraphindia.com }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.avenuemail.in/jamshedpur/karam-festival-shows-to-way-to-humanity-harivansh/124287/|title=Karam festival shows to way to humanity: Harivansh|publisher= www.avenuemail.in}}</ref> The Karam festival celebrated by diverse groups of people, including: the Kharia, Korba,Kuli/Kulis [Odisha] [[Baiga tribe|Baiga]], Binjhwari, [[Nagpuri people|Nagpuri]], [[Khortha language|Khortha]], [[Kudmi Mahato|Kudmi]], [[Kurukh people|Oraon]], [[Munda people|Munda]], [[Santal people|Santal]] and many more. The festival is held on the 11th day of a full moon ([[Purnima]]) of the Hindu month of Bhado (Bhadra), which falls between August and September. Groups of young villagers go to the jungle and collect wood, fruits, and flowers. These are required during the [[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]] (worship) of the Karam God. During this period, people sing and dance together in groups. The entire valley dances to the drumbeat "day of the phases".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jharkhand.gov.in/festivals |title=Festivals : Official Website of Government of Jharkhand |publisher=Jharkhand.gov.in |date=2016-04-13 |accessdate=2016-09-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.odishatourism.gov.in/portal/Festivals/TribalFestivals/KaramaFestival.aspx |title=Karama Festival |publisher=Odishatourism.gov.in |date=2014-02-21 |accessdate=2016-09-04}}</ref> | ||
==Summary of the ritual== | ==Summary of the ritual== | ||
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The morning of the Karam festival begins with women pounding rice in the [[dheki]], a wooden implement, to obtain rice flour. This rice flour is used to make a local delicacy which can be sweet as well as salty. This delicacy is cooked in the morning of the Karam festival for consumption, and shared throughout the neighborhood. | The morning of the Karam festival begins with women pounding rice in the [[dheki]], a wooden implement, to obtain rice flour. This rice flour is used to make a local delicacy which can be sweet as well as salty. This delicacy is cooked in the morning of the Karam festival for consumption, and shared throughout the neighborhood. | ||
Then the people begin the [[ | Then the people begin the [[Karam Naach|ritual dance]] with a yellow bloom tucked behind their ear. A branch of the Karam tree is carried by the Karam dancers and passed among them while they are singing and dancing. This branch is washed with milk and rice beer (locally known as [[Handia (drink)|hariya]]). Then, the branch is raised in the middle of the dancing arena. After reciting the legend - the story behind the worshiping of Karam (Nature/God/Goddess) - all the men and women drink liquor and spend the entire night singing and dancing; both are essential parts of the festival. | ||
Women dance to the beat of drums and folk songs (''siring''). The [[Puja (Hinduism)|Puja]] is followed by a community feast and the drinking of hariya. The next day, the Karam tree is sprinkled with curd of the seas and immersed in the river bed.<ref>Kislaya, Kelly (9 September 2011) [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/Songs-dance-and-hadia-usher-in- | Women dance to the beat of drums and folk songs (''siring''). The [[Puja (Hinduism)|Puja]] is followed by a community feast and the drinking of hariya. The next day, the Karam tree is sprinkled with curd of the seas and immersed in the river bed.<ref>Kislaya, Kelly (9 September 2011) [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/Songs-dance-and-hadia-usher-in-Karam-Puja/articleshow/9921512.cms?from=mdr Songs, dance and hadia usher in Karam Puja]. Times of India</ref> | ||
==Philosophy== | ==Philosophy== | ||
Karam is a harvest festival. The festival also has a close link to nature. People worship trees during this festival as they are a source of livelihood, and they pray to mother nature to keep their farmlands green and ensure a rich harvest. It is believed that the worship for good germination increases the fertility of grain crops. Karam | Karam is a harvest festival. The festival also has a close link to nature. People worship trees during this festival as they are a source of livelihood, and they pray to mother nature to keep their farmlands green and ensure a rich harvest. It is believed that the worship for good germination increases the fertility of grain crops. Karam Devta/Karam Devis (the God of power, youth and youthfulness) is worshiped during the festival. The devotees keep a day-long fast and worship the branches of karam and [[Shorea robusta|sal]]. Girls celebrate the festival for welfare, friendship and sisterhood by exchanging a jawa flower.<ref>[http://indroyc.com/2012/09/26/karam/ Karam — a Festival of Jharkhand | Indrosphere]. Indroyc.com (26 September 2012). Retrieved on 2015-09-27.</ref> | ||
==Story behind the celebration== | ==Story behind the celebration== | ||
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Among the [[Bhumij]] and the Orans the legend is that there were seven brothers living together. The six oldest used to work in the field and the youngest stayed at home. He was indulging in dance and songs round a karam tree in the courtyard with his six sisters-in-law. One day, they were so engrossed in dance and song that the brothers' morning meal was not carried to the field by the wives. When the brothers arrived home, they became agitated and threw the karam tree into a river. The youngest brother left home in anger. Then evil days fell on the remaining brothers. Their house was damaged, the crops failed, and they virtually starved. While wandering, the youngest brother found the karam tree floating in the river. Then he propitiated the god, who restored everything. Thereafter he returned home and called his brothers and told them that because they insulted Karam Devta, they fell on evil days. Since then the Karam Devta has been worshipped. | Among the [[Bhumij]] and the Orans the legend is that there were seven brothers living together. The six oldest used to work in the field and the youngest stayed at home. He was indulging in dance and songs round a karam tree in the courtyard with his six sisters-in-law. One day, they were so engrossed in dance and song that the brothers' morning meal was not carried to the field by the wives. When the brothers arrived home, they became agitated and threw the karam tree into a river. The youngest brother left home in anger. Then evil days fell on the remaining brothers. Their house was damaged, the crops failed, and they virtually starved. While wandering, the youngest brother found the karam tree floating in the river. Then he propitiated the god, who restored everything. Thereafter he returned home and called his brothers and told them that because they insulted Karam Devta, they fell on evil days. Since then the Karam Devta has been worshipped. | ||
Another legend prevalent among the Pauri Bhuiyans is that a merchant returned home after a very prosperous voyage. His vessel was loaded with precious metals and other valuables which he had brought from distant lands. He waited in the vessel to be ceremoniously received by his wife and relatives, as was the custom. As it was the day of the | Another legend prevalent among the Pauri Bhuiyans is that a merchant returned home after a very prosperous voyage. His vessel was loaded with precious metals and other valuables which he had brought from distant lands. He waited in the vessel to be ceremoniously received by his wife and relatives, as was the custom. As it was the day of the Karam festival, all the women were engrossed with dancing and the men with playing the drums, so no one came to receive him. The merchant became furious with them. He uprooted the karam tree and threw it away. Then the wrath of Karam Devta fell on him. His vessel immediately sank in the sea. The merchant consulted astrologers who told him to propitiate Karam Devta. He launched another vessel, set out in search of the deity, and found him floating in the sea. He propitiated him with great devotion and all his wealth was restored. From that day on, the annual festival of Karam Puja has been held. After spending the whole night with dance and songs, the people uproot the branches and carry them to nearby rivers or rivulets for immersion.<ref>[http://www.odishatourism.gov.in/portal/Festivals/TribalFestivals/Karam Festival.aspx Karam Festival]. Odishatourism.gov.in (21 February 2014). Retrieved on 2015-09-27.</ref> | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
*[[ | *[[Karam Naach]] | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||