In the heart of India, amidst the verdant landscapes of Jharkhand, lies a cultural extravaganza that epitomizes the spirit of community, tradition, and reverence – the Karma Puja festival. This age-old celebration, deeply rooted in the indigenous tribal culture of the region, serves as a vibrant tapestry woven with rituals, music, dance, and fervent devotion.

Karma Puja traces its origins to the indigenous tribes of Jharkhand, particularly the Ho, Oraon, Munda, and Santhal communities. The festival is dedicated to worshipping the deity of Karma, the benevolent spirit believed to be the protector of the forests, fields, and crops. It symbolizes gratitude towards nature and seeks blessings for a bountiful harvest, prosperity, and well-being.

The festival usually takes place during the autumn season, around August or September, on the 11th day of the Hindu lunar month of Bhadra. It is a time when people express their gratitude to Karma Devta (the deity) for granting them good fortune, prosperity, and protection against evil spirits. The celebrations include singing, dancing, and offerings made to the deity.

The festivities of Karma Puja commence with elaborate rituals performed by the village elders and shamans. A special altar adorned with leaves, flowers, and offerings is erected under a sacred tree, usually a Karam or Sal tree, symbolizing the sanctity of nature. Devotees gather around the altar, clad in traditional attire, to offer prayers, hymns, and sacrifices as a token of reverence to Karma.

Preparations for Karma Puja begin several days in advance. The villagers clean their houses and decorate them with flowers and colourful motifs. A symbolic representation of Karma Devta is made using a wooden pole or a branch of the Karam tree, which is considered sacred for the festival. The pole is adorned with flowers, leaves, and various ornaments.

This day is also important for the brothers and sisters as the sisters pray for the wellbeing of their brothers. Even the couples pray to the deity for a happy conjugal life. Whatever may be the purpose, Karma Puja is an integral part of the tribal communities. It is so popular in Jharkhand that the Government of the state has declared the day as a public holiday.

The indigenous people worship trees during this festival and pray to Mother Nature to keep their farmlands green and ensure a rich harvest. It is believed that the worship of good germination increases the fertility of grain crops. This tree is the symbol of Karma Devta who is worshipped on the day of the auspicious festival. The name Karma is drawn from the name of a tree “Karam” (Mitragyna parvifolia).

On the day of Karma Puja, villagers gather in an open space or a designated Karma sthal (place) within the village. The celebrations involve singing traditional folk songs, accompanied by musical instruments like dhols (drums) and mandar (a traditional instrument). The rhythmic beats and melodious tunes create an enchanting atmosphere.

THE RITUAL

• On this day, people go in the forest to collect branches of Karam tree, which are carried back to the village by the young girls. The branches are then placed on the ground called ‘akhara’ which is meant for ceremonial dance.
• They sing the traditional songs that praise the deity.
• They worship Karma Devi represented by a branch of the Karam tree.
• They also collect fruits and flowers which are essential for the Karma puja.
• The branches are garlanded on the next day.
• Planting the branch of Karma initiates the process of Karma Puja. The branch of the Karma tree is washed with milk and Handia, the rice beer and then raised at the centre of the dancing arena.
• The branches are decorated with garlands and curd, rice and flowers are offered by the devotees.
• Grains are filled in the red-coloured baskets and offered to the branches.
• The young devotees wear barley seedlings on their heads which are distributed among them.
• The dancers dance throughout the night forming a circle with their hands around each others’ waists.
• They pass the branch to each other while dancing. This is the famous Karma dance which is typical to the tribal festival of Jharkhand.
• The story behind the festival is narrated by the elders.

During the puja, devotees dance in circles around the Karam tree or pole, forming a human chain. This dance is known as Karma Naach and is an essential part of the festival. It involved intricate footwork and synchronized movements. The dancers move in sync with the music, swaying to the beats and singing folk songs that narrate tales of Karma Devta’s glory.

During the dance they pass the branch of the tree, the men leap forward to a rapid roll of drums, while women dance with their feet moving in perfect rhythm to and fro. People seek the blessings of Karam Devta as the entire economy of the tribes is highly dependent on nature and karma tree symbolize nature.

After the dance, a special offering is made to Karma Devta. It typically consists of rice, fruits, flowers, and other traditional delicacies. The priest or a respected elder person conducts the rituals and seeks the deity’s blessings for the well-being of the community.

As the night progresses, the celebrations continue with more singing and dancing. The aroma of freshly cooked food fills the air as people share meals with each other. It is heartwarming to see how the festival bring people together and strengthens their sense of community.

LEGENDS

The history of the festival is not much known. But local historians aver that it’s been celebrated since time immemorial. The legend behind the festival, according to anthropologist Harimohan is:

“Once upon a time, there were seven brothers. They were busy with agriculture work. They had no time even for lunch and as such their wives used to carry lunch to the field daily. Once it so happened that their wives did not bring lunch for them. They were hungry. In the evening they returned home without food and found that their wives were dancing and singing near a branch of the Karam tree in the courtyard. This made them angry and one of them lost temper. He snatched the Karam branch and threw it into the river. The Karam deity was thus insulted as a result of which the economic condition of their family deteriorated. They were starving. One day a Brahman (priest) came to them. The seven brothers narrated the whole story. On hearing it, the Brahman told them that the Karam Rani was angry and she must be appeased. If it was not done their condition would further deteriorate, the Brahman told them. The seven brothers then left the village in search of the Karam Rani. They kept on moving from place to place and one day they found the tree. Subsequently, they worshipped it. Thereafter their economic condition started improving.”

There are multiple versions of the story behind the origin of Karam Puja.

“Among the Bhumij, Ho and Oraon the legend is that seven brothers were living together. The six elders 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 morning meal of the brothers 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 came home, he 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:

“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 Karama festival, all the women were engrossed with dancing and the men with playing the drums, so no one went 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 was restored with all wealth. 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.”

THE KARMA NAACH

The highlight of the festival is the mesmerizing dance performances, known as Karma dance, performed by both men and women. Accompanied by rhythmic beats of traditional instruments like dhols, mandars, and flutes, the dancers enact stories of folklore, mythology, and agricultural traditions, weaving a captivating narrative that transcends generations.

Karma Dance is also one of the oldest dance forms in India. Karma dance, which is also popularly known as Karma Naach, is performed by the indigenous peoples of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa and other regions of the country. The dancers hold each others’ waists and dance in the rhythm of music welcoming the spring and forming a circle through their movements around a tree that is venerated as Karma. 

Men and women dance to the tunes of the instruments like Thumki, Chhalla, Payri, and Jhumki. The drum locally known as ‘timki’ is used as the main musical instrument and the dancers dance enthusiastically on the beats of the timki. The dancers move their feet in perfect rhythm and into and fro style. They form a circle put their arms around the waist of the next dancer and continue dancing rhythmically, bending towards the ground and leaping forward. The dancers wear ethnic costumes and jewellery. Many sub-varieties of Karma dance include the Jhumar, Ektaria, Lahaki, Sirki, etc.

The dance performance full of vigour and energy combined with the charm of the youth decked with colourful costumes in the exuberance of red cloth, set in bird feathers and skillfully designed ornaments made of small conch shells, brings the onlookers as well as the performers to a mood of trance and ecstasy. Karma dance is not only associated with worship but also has different forms in different regions of the country.

Happy Karma! At a time when cutting and uprooting trees have become a normal daily affair in the name of business and development, the Adivasi festival of Karma reminds us of the importance of our environment in our life.

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Karma Puja serves as a unifying force, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds to partake in the festivities. It fosters a sense of camaraderie, solidarity, and mutual respect among the villagers, transcending caste, creed, and social hierarchies. The communal feast, known as Karma Bhoj, is a testament to this spirit of togetherness, where everyone shares in the joys of delicious traditional delicacies prepared with love and care.

Over the years, Karma Puja has evolved from being a traditional agrarian festival to a vibrant cultural extravaganza that reflects the ethos of Jharkhand’s tribal heritage. While preserving its age-old customs and rituals, the festival has also adapted to modern times, incorporating elements of music, dance, and art to appeal to younger generations.

As the rhythms of dhols reverberate through the tranquil landscapes of Jharkhand, and the vibrant hues of traditional attire adorn the villagers, Karma Puja stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of cultural heritage and communal harmony. It serves as a reminder of the intimate bond between humanity and nature, urging us to cherish and preserve the rich tapestry of traditions that define our collective identity.

In essence, Karma Puja is not merely a festival; it is a celebration of life, unity, and gratitude, beckoning us to embrace the values of harmony, respect, and reverence for all living beings. As the vibrant colours and infectious energy of the festivities envelop the land, let us join hands in honouring the age-old legacy of Karma Puja and rejoice in the abundance of blessings bestowed upon us by Mother Nature.