Sarhul: A Celebration of the Sal Tree

Sarhul is a traditional festival of the Santhal tribe, which is celebrated in late March or April. The state of Jharkhand declares a holiday on the day of the festival. The festival is associated with the bountiful harvest, and the people express their gratitude towards nature and the deities for providing them with abundant crops.

Sarhul. Illustrated by Aishwarya Patil, Visual Storyteller at ThisDay

As someone born and brought up in Jharkhand, a state in eastern India, I have a personal connection with this festival. But, the festival is not just limited to Jharkhand — it is also celebrated by the Oraon, Munda, Ho, and Santal tribes living in West Bengal and Orissa, as well as the tea tribes of Assam. In addition, some tribes in Nepal also celebrate Sarhul. All of these communities follow the Sarna religion and worship Sarna Burhi (which translates to Lady of the Grove), who is associated with spirits, rain, and plants. The prime deity of Sarhul is the sal tree. The tree holds a considerable significance among a few of the major religions of the world. It is said that Queen Mahamaya of Sakya gave birth to the Buddha while holding a sal tree. When Buddha’s life came full circle, he died underneath two sal trees. Tree-cutting is strictly prohibited in the Sarna, and it is believed that any such activities will incur the wrath of the spirits.

The festival is associated with the bountiful harvest, and the people express their gratitude towards nature and the deities for providing them with abundant crops. During the festival, religious leaders predict rainfall in the region, which more often than not comes true. This is a highlight of the festival and adds to its importance in the lives of the Santhal tribe.

Highlights of Sarhul Festival

1. Rhythmic dances around the sarhul tree

During the Sarhul festival, the tribes pay their respect to the nature gods by performing their traditional dance around the sal or sarhul tree. The dance is believed to send positive energies to the nature gods who have blessed them with the harvest. The rhythm of the dance is believed to be of great importance as it is said to be the key to reach out to the gods.

The tree itself holds great significance as it is considered to be a sacred tree and is worshipped by these tribal communities. During the festival, the tree is decorated with colourful flowers, leaves, and branches. The dance around the tree is accompanied by traditional musical instruments such as drums and flutes. The dance steps involve intricate footwork and synchronised movements. The entire community takes part in the dance, from young children to the elderly.

2. Sarhul rallies

Sarhul rallies are an important part of the Sarhul festival celebration, especially in Jharkhand. These rallies are organised in different cities and towns, where people gather together and carry the Sarhul tree from the forest to the akhara or the place of worship. The people who participate in these rallies sing and dance along the way, playing the mandar and the dhol, which are traditional musical instruments.

The sarhul tree is considered sacred and worshipped during the festival. It is believed that the tree has the power to provide blessings to people and bring prosperity to their lives. The people reach the akhara to perform a puja and offer their prayers to the tree.

If you want to experience the Sarhul rally, Ranchi is the best place to witness it. The whole city comes alive during this festival, and you can see people dressed in their traditional attire, dancing and singing to the beats of the dhol. It is a vibrant and colourful celebration that truly showcases the cultural heritage of the region.

3. Feasts featuring the local rice beer

During Sarhul, the followers of Sarna religion prepare a grand feast with local delicacies like mutton and handia, a local rice beer. Handia is traditionally made in homes and has a strong aroma due to its fermentation process. The feast is prepared in the homes and everyone is invited to share the food together. The community gathers around to enjoy the feast while singing and dancing to the sound of dhol and mandar.