Sarhul is the festival of flowers and is the most popular of all the tribal festivals. The festival is observed by Mundas,
Oraon and Santhal tribal communities, inhabiting in the regions of
Orissa,
Jharkhand and
Bihar. The Santhals call it Baha and celebrated it in February-March while the Oraons celebrate in the month of March-April.
Sarhul literally means ‘Worship of Sal’. Sarhul is the worship of nature in which the people worship Dharti Mata as Sita, the wife of Lord Ram. They also worship water, wind, plants and animals. During the festival Sal flowers are brought to the sarna (sacred grove) and the priest propitiates all the gods of the tribes. Hadia or Diang, a wine made of stale rice is the ’Prasad’ of this festival.
Oraons perform their traditional Sarhul Dance during the festival. Sarhul lasts for several days.
