The important Jharkhand temple festivals include Holi, Deepavali, Dashhara and Ramnavami. Other festivals like, Basant panchami, Chath, Jityya Bhaiya Duj are also religiously significant in Jharkhand. Jharkhand is a land of tribal population and many tribal festivities are still celebrated in temples and other sacred premises. Jharkhand temple festivals of the tribes include Karma, Manda, Sarhul, Jani shikar and many others.
Shivaratri is an important festival in Jharkhand, celebrated elegantly in almost all the temples of the state. This Jharkhand temple festival has an adjacent Kunda Mela, especially held in Pratappur. This mela is held at the time of falgun Shivratri and is marked by a big trade of cattle. Kolhua mela in Hunterganj is another traditional festivity of Jharkhand, held twice in a year during Magh Basant panchami and chaitra Ramnaumi respectively. There is a beautiful lake and ancient temple of Goddess Kali on the top of the hill. This religious fair in Jharkhand is a vital celebration in the state.
Durga Puja is one of the most important Jharkhand temple festivals; this puja is performed in both temples and community pandals. Chatra mela is said to have started from 1882 and is principally a cattle fair held during Durga Puja in Jharkhand. Kundri Mela in Chatra, commemorates Karthik Puja in Jharkhand. Amongst several Jharkhand temple festivals, Kundri Mela started in 1930, is held on Kartik purnima, and is mainly cattle fair.
Magh Basant panchami is one of the Jharkhand temple festivals and the Kolhaiya Mela in Chatra is held during this festival. The probable year of this festival`s commencement is 1925. Kolhaiya Mela is held on Magh Basant panchami and is principally, cattle fair. Tutilawa Mela in Simaria started in 1935 and is principally a cattle fair held on Falgun Purnima; the offerings are done to the deities in the temples. Aghan Purnima is another Jharkhand temple festival and Lawalong mela is associated to its celebration since 1880.
Belgada Mela in Simaria is another religious festival started in 1920 and held in Baisakh purnima. Bhadli mela in Itkhori is one of the Jharkhand temple festivals, where people worship the ancient temple of Goddess Kali and lord Shiva. It is a religious gathering on Makar Sankaranti. Sangharo Mela in Chatra is held in Sawan Purnima in Jharkhand.
Jharkhand temple festivals are some of the most joyous festivities of the state. Barura Sharif commemorates the worshiping of the shrine of Data Amir Ali shah at Barura Sharif on the bank of Sat Bahini River in Pratappur. Myths say that the sufi saints came here in the latter half of the 18th century. The Hindus and the Muslim come to this sacred spot to pay respect to the reverend saint at his Mazaar. This sacred place is highly enveloped by many superstitions and people suffering from evil spirits come here in large number and get cured. Sangat is one of the Jharkhand temple festivals, The event is associated with the Udasi Panth of Sikh doctrine, held in Gudri Bazar Mohalla of Chatra. An old script of the Holy Gurugranth Saheb is narrated on this day. The doctrine is established at this place and is kept in high esteem by the Sikhs and the Hindus as well. Thus, Chatra is an emblem of communal harmony where the Hindus, the Muslims and the Sikhs reside in peace and harmony. Jharkhand temple festivals have established the religious integrity and harmony amongst the people.
