CM and Governor celebrate Sarhul, talk about harmony
Jharkhand chief minister Champai Soren delivered a message of mutual harmony while congratulating the people on Eid, Sarhul, and the third day of Navratri on Thursday.
“Today’s holy day holds significant importance in many ways. Coincidentally, on this day, the festivals of Sarhul, Eid, and Navratri are being celebrated simultaneously throughout the country. Today is a time to share happiness with mutual brotherhood. We all need to work together to carry forward these traditions with mutual harmony and solidarity so that the coming generations are also inspired to preserve the culture and customs of Jharkhand. On this auspicious day, I extend hearty greetings and best wishes to the people of the entire state for the Sarhul, Eid, and Navratri festivals,” the chief minister said.
Soren on Thursday was seen participating in Sarhul programmes at different places in the state capital.
A press statement issued from his office suggested that the places he visited included Veer Budhu Bhagat Tribal College Hostel Hatma, Tribal Hostel Karamtoli, and the ‘Karam’ place of worship located in Sirtoli, among others.
According to the statement, he offered prayers in traditional customs at Sarhul places of worship.
“He prayed to God for the happiness, prosperity, and progress of the people of Jharkhand, and locals welcomed him with traditional rituals at all those places where he went,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, governor CP Radhakrishnan also participated in the ‘Sarhul Mahotsav’ organised by the department of tribal and regional languages, Ranchi University.
He said the Sarhul festival can be of great use to convey a strong message against global warming.
“Today, when the whole world is facing the challenge of global warming, the messages of festivals like Sarhul are extremely meaningful,” Governor Radhakrishnan said.
He expressed that there is an interdependent relationship between man and nature.
“The real meaning of Sarhul is to worship trees and nature. The implicit message in this festival is that mankind does not exist without nature,” the governor said.
“This festival is not limited to the tribal community; it is celebrated by people of all communities with full enthusiasm. This festival further strengthens the feeling of mutual brotherhood among everyone. It gives the message to mankind to protect nature,” he added.
Jharkhand’s biggest tribal festival ‘Sarhul’ and Muslim community’s ‘Eid-ul-Fitr’ were celebrated with religious and traditional fervour amid elaborate security arrangements across the state on Thursday.
The three-day festival begins on the third day of the month Chaitra. People of various tribes such as Oraon, Munda and Ho pay obeisance to the Sal tree and thank mother nature for providing shelter, livelihood and food to them.
Sarhul, also called the spring festival, started with rituals in the morning, followed by a forecast of rains during the upcoming monsoon by ‘pahans’ (priests) based on traditional practices.
According to the tradition, two earthen pitchers filled with water are placed under a sal tree and kept overnight at the Sarna Sthal.