Asadhi Festival of Kharia Tribe

Asadhi puja is an annual fiesta of the Kharia Tribe celebrated with great enthusiasm and vigour in the Hindi month of Asadh i.e. during June-July. Though the festival is celebrated by the Kharia, especially by the Deonras also known as the diviner or medicine man, it is regarded as one of the first fruit eating festivals.

Only after performing this festival the people particularly the adult members of the community are allowed to consume black berries and Rugara, a sort of mushroom rout. The festival bears a close resemblance to the celebration of Neodem or Nawakhani. It is however, celebrated on an elaborate level encompassing several rituals and customs. The Kalo appointed for the ceremony collects two fowls instead of three in case of Neodem, of varying colours. These are usually Zangua (red) and Kashari (spotted). He then sacrifices them by severing the heads in the name of Pat and Burha Burhi. He also offers new fruits i.e. black berry and Rugra instead of beaten rice of new paddy for the festival. After the festival all the members present consume black berry and engage in dancing and singing.

This article is a stub. You can enrich by adding more information to it. Send your Write Up to content@indianetzone.com