Karama Festival in Orissa

God Karamsani is worshipped in Karama Festival. Many rituals are performed during this festival. There is a ritual where people go to the jungles who are accompanied by groups of drummers. There they cut one or more branches of the Karam tree. These branches are carried by unmarried young girls who sing songs in praise of the deity. Thereafter the branches are brought to the village and planted in the centre of a ground. This is plastered with cow-dung and decorated with flowers.

The tribal-priest offers some germinated grams and liquor to the deity who grants wealth and children. A chicken is killed and the branch is offered the blood. After that the priest narrates a legend to the villagers about the effectiveness of Karam puja. However these legends vary according to the tribes.

There is a legend that is known among the Bhumij, Ho and Orans. The legend that is prevalent among them is that there were seven brothers living together. The six elder brothers worked in the field and the youngest brother stayed at home. He indulged in dance and songs round a karam tree with his six sisters-in-law. It so happened one day that they were busy that meal of the brothers could not be carried to the field by their wives. On arriving home they got agitated and threw away the tree to a river. The youngest one left home in a fit of anger. Soon after that their house was damaged, crops failed and this led to starvation. The youngest brother found the karam tree floating in the river when he was wandering. He appeased the Goddess who restored everything ultimately. After this he had returned home and told his brothers that they insulted Karam Devta. Since then goddess has been worshipped.

Another legend is also widespread among the Pauri Bhuiyans. It is that a merchant returned home after a successful voyage. There were precious metals loaded in his vessel. As per custom he is supposed to be received by his wife and relatives. Since on that day Karama festival was celebrated all women were engrossed with dancing and the men playing the drums. Nobody could receive him. The merchant was furious. In fit of anger he uprooted the karam tree and threw it away. His vessel sank in the sea. He consulted astrologers who advised him to appease Karam Devta. In another vessel he had set out in search of the deity and found floating in the sea. He propitiated and all his wealth was restored. Since that day the annual festival of Karam puja is being held. Karam festival is observed for two days.