CONRAD DIAS
Ranchi, April 4: The tribal communities here celebrated the Sarhul Mahotsav after two years by abiding the necessary covid protocols. As per the guidelines, every group was requested to have not more than 100 persons during the procession. However, the number present during the procession was less than 100 per group.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren visited the Adivasi Hostel in the morning and did the Sarhul Puja. He also visited the Sarhul Puja Sthal in Serom Toli and performed Puja with traditional customs. He also offered prayers to Maa Sarna and wished for the prosperity of the state.
In the afternoon, women joined the procession with red padded saris and men with dhoti-kurta and vest. People of all classes and ages were involved in this procession.
Teams of all tribes reached Sarna Sthal at Siram Toli, singing along with their traditional Dhol-Dhak, Mandar. During this, people distributed jaggery and gram in the form of Sarai flowers and prasad.
The procession coming from Ranchi and nearby villages also reached the Siram Toli Sarna site. Earlier, Jaglal Pahan worshiped with traditional rituals in Hatma and expressed the possibility of rain after seeing the water kept in the pots.
Five chickens were sacrificed in the morning in the name of Mother Earth (Ote Enga), Water God, Mountain Deity (Buru Bonga), Rungwa Murga (Gava Devta), White Rooster, Sun God and Hoyo Bonga.
The Siram Toli Sarna Sthal in Ranchi was decorated with attractive and traditional paintings. Free buses were arranged by the Municipal Corporation for people coming from other cities so that they can participate in the procession. In view of the summer heat, drinking water as well as mobile toilets at various intersections of the city were arranged.