Sarhul (Jharkhand) 2027

Puja Vidhi

Who Celebrates This Festival?

• The Village Pahan (Priest): Primarily, the Pahan, the traditional village priest, leads the worship and observes the fast on behalf of the community.
• Families and the Community: Tribal families of Jharkhand, such as the Munda, Oraon, and Ho, join the festival to seek good rain, a good harvest, and the wellbeing of the village (Gram Kalyan).

When Should This Be Performed?

• Morning Preparation: At sunrise, the Pahan bathes, and the homes and the village are cleaned.
• Worship at the Sarna Sthal: The main worship is done at the sacred grove (Sarna Sthal), beginning at sunrise. Check the sunrise time for your city on this page.
• Procession and Dance: After the worship, the whole village takes part in the Sarhul procession with drums and dances.
• Feast: Held after the puja, with the prasad shared by everyone.

About the Festival

Sarhul is a much-loved tribal spring festival of Jharkhand in which the community worships the Sal tree and the village deities as the Sal trees bloom. It takes place on the Tritiya (third day) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Chaitra.

The Katha (The Story Behind Sarhul)

Sarhul is the festival of the Sal blossom, kept by the tribal communities of Jharkhand, such as the Munda, Oraon and Ho, as the new year of the season begins. In their belief, the Sal tree is the home of the village's sacred spirits, and the grove where it stands, the Sarna Sthal, is the holiest place in the village.

When the Sal trees burst into flower in spring, the people see it as a sign that the Earth is ready for a new cycle of life. Sarhul is remembered as the marriage of the Sun, honoured as Dharmesh or Singbonga, with the Earth, Dharti Mata. The Pahan and his wife take the place of the divine couple in the rites, and the village gathers to bless their union.

The elders teach that the forest, the rain and the fields all depend on this bond, and that the Sal is a mother and a shelter to the village. So before the new season's work begins, the people worship in the Sarna Sthal with a pure heart, and the Pahan prays for good rain and a good harvest.

The villagers gather with flowers, songs and drums, and the Pahan reads the water in the earthen pots to foretell the monsoon. Pleased with their gratitude, the Sun and the Earth are believed to bless the village with rain, harvest and prosperity. Since that day, the tribal communities have celebrated Sarhul to honour the Sal tree and the nature that gives them life.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before starting the morning worship:

• Sacred Place: The Sarna Sthal, the sacred grove with Sal trees, cleaned and prepared for worship
• Tilak & Sacred Powder: Sindur, Akshat (unbroken rice grains), and Haldi
• Lamps & Lights: A clay Diya with oil or Ghee, and incense (Dhoop)
• Sacred Water Container: A new earthen pot filled with fresh water, kept for the Pahan's rain prediction
• Food Offerings (Naivedya): Handia (rice drink), boiled rice, and seasonal fruits and sweets
• Devotional Accessories: Sal flowers (Sarjom Baha), Sal leaves, and new clothes for the Pahan

Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these step-by-step instructions carefully to perform the ritual correctly:

Step 1: Morning Preparation and Sankalp

1. Wake up early before sunrise, bathe, and wear clean, new, or festive clothes (traditionally white with a red border).
2. Take a small amount of water in your right palm and take a Sankalp (solemn vow): "O Sarna Maa and Dharmesh, today we worship the Sal tree and the village with full devotion. Grant us rain, a good harvest, and wellbeing for our families."
3. Observe the fast until the main worship is complete; the Pahan traditionally fasts through the day.

Step 2: Preparing the Sarna Sthal (Sunrise)

1. Clean the Sarna Sthal and the area around the Sal tree, and sprinkle it with fresh water.
2. Decorate the Sal tree with fresh Sal flowers and leaves.
3. Place the earthen pot filled with fresh water near the tree, along with the offerings.

Step 3: Performing the Worship

1. Lighting the Lamp: Light a Diya and incense near the Sal tree.
2. Applying Tilak: Apply Sindur, Haldi, and Akshat to the Sal tree and the sacred stones.
3. Offering Flowers: Offer fresh Sal flowers and leaves to the tree and the village deities.
4. Offering Naivedya: Place boiled rice, Handia, and fruits before the deities as an offering.

Step 4: The Pahan's Prayers

1. The Pahan holds a few grains of rice and Sal flowers in his hand and stands before the Sal tree.
2. He recites the traditional prayers for the village, the rain, and the crops with deep focus and devotion.
3. After the prayers, the Pahan sprinkles the grains near the tree and gives the Sal flowers to the villagers.

Step 5: Procession and Dance

1. Carry the Sal flowers to the village with the Pahan, with the drums (Dhol and Nagara) playing.
2. Join the community dance in the procession, singing the traditional Sarhul songs in praise of nature.
3. Place the earthen pot of water overnight; the Pahan reads the water level the next morning to predict the rain.

Step 6: Seeking Blessings and Sharing the Feast

1. Touch the feet of the elders in your village and family to seek their blessings.
2. Distribute the Sal flowers and the prasad among the family members and neighbours; flowers are often placed on the ears or in the hair.
3. Break the fast together by sharing the festive meal with the whole community.