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The
months of Bhadon and Ashwin
are marked by many religious observances and ceremonies. This is
the most critical season of the year to the cultivator, when he must have rain.
The end of the former month, he observes the fast of Anant-brat in gratitude
for the ingathering of the bhadai harvest and in the hope of further prosperity.
Chhath Puja
Chhath puja, the main Hindu festival of Biharis is celebrated
with traditional fervor to worship the Sun god. It is celebrated on the sixth
day after Deewali, for one night and day. The people of Bihar especially married women,
flock to the banks of river Ganga or to other nearby river ghats and ponds to
make a ritual offering to Sun god for the prosperity, happiness and peaceful life of their family members as well as the
long lives of their husbands. Offerings include cow's milk, coconut and other fruits
Some ardent male devotees crawl the entire route
from their house to the river banks bare
chested, as an offering. Devotees observe total fast since sunrise and visit the
river banks in the afternoon to pay homage. More than
one lakh people congregate on the banks of Ganga where prayers are offered in a peaceful atmosphere. People from other castes also celebrate this
festival with equal importance.
Navaratri is one of the major festivals connected
with the autumnal equinox, beginning on the first and ending on the tenth
day of Navaratri. After the idol of Durga has been worshipped for nine
preceding days, it is taken to the river and cast into it.
Dussehra celebrates
the victory of Rama over
Ravana. Hence it is also
called Vijayadashami. Huge colourful paper and wooden effigies of Rama's
enemies, Ravana, Meghanada
and Kumbhakarna are filled
with fire works and burnt during Dussehra.
Holi
and Diwali are the other important Hindu festivals celebrated in
Bihar.
Hindu women worship Lord Shiva at Jeth
Amavasya to ensure the long life of their husband. At Mauni Amavasya they
sit silently under a pipal tree on the day of a new moon, provided it
is a Monday.
Nag Panchami is a festival observed on the fifth day of the
bright half of Sravana. It begins with a fast. Bathing fairs are held on the
banks of rivers.
Makar Sankranti is also observed as a festival
among certain classes. On this occasion, the participants and believers
eat rice flakes, curd and sweets made of t il.
Janmashtami is observed
on the eight day of the second fortnight in the month of Bhadrapada. Special
meals are held and thousands of people visit the sacred places and temples.
Maha-Shivaratri
is celebrated with great rejoicing and feasting. Other Bihari festivals
are; Saraswati puja which is celebrated in all educational institutions
and images of goddess of learning are worshipped. Raksha Bandhan, Godhan,
Ramnavami, Chitra gupta puja are celebrated mostly by the Kayasthas
and Viswakarma puja is observed only by factory workers and workmen. The
chief Muslim festivals in Bihar are the Muharram, the two Ids and shah-i-barat.
Tribal Festivals
In tribal life, there is a succession of festivals throughout the year which
are connected with agricultural operations. The important festivals among them
are Sarhul, Karma and Soharai. Hindu festivals of Holi
and Durga puja are also celebrated with great enthusiasm by Hindu tribals.
Sarhul
Sarhul is the most popular of all
tribal festivals. It is celebrated on the last day of Baisakh which corresponds
to the month of April. It is observed
at a time when sal trees are laden with flowers. It resembles the
Vasant-mahotsava of the Hindus and may therefore be described as the spring
festival of the tribals. It is an occasion of great festivity and enjoyment for
people of all ages. All night maidens and youths sing and dance to the
accompaniment of the drum, while the old sit and enjoy the enchanting dances.
Soharai
Another festival among the aboriginals is Soharai or Banda parab, which
occurs in the month of Pous, celebrated shortly after the harvest of the
rice-crop of the year. It may be called the harvest festival of tribals. On this
occasion domestic animals are worshipped, after being washed, anointed with oil
and smeared with vermilion.
Karma festival
This festival is observed by the
tribals as well as non-tribals. On this occasion the tribal youths
spend the whole night singing and dancing. The songs sung on this occasion
narrate the legends of Karma and Dharma.
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