Tribal Fairs and Festivals in Purulia District of West Bengal

Purulia is a land of tribal festivals in West Bengal. Read this article to know about the tribal festivals in Purulia.

Here are the main tribal fairs and festivals in Purulia district of West Bengal.

Shiber Gajan: Gajan or Shiber Gajan is a famous festival in Purulia district.This festival is also popular as Chait Parab, Charak Puja. Shiber Gajan is held between middle of March to end of May every year.

Disum Sendra: This is a hunting festival of Santhals at Ayodhya Hill in Purulia during Baishakhi Purnima. Disum Sendra is also known as Shikar Parab.

Puja of Dharma Thakur and Mela: This local festival of Purulia is held from mid of April to mid of May every year.

Rohini Utsav: This festival in Purulia is celebrated by cultivators. On 13 Jaistha every year, the cultivators sow seeds and celebrate this Rohini Utsav festival.

Erohk Sim: This festival is similar to Rohini Utsav and this festival is celebrated by Santhals in the month of Asad (15 June to 15 July).

Batauli: Mundas celebrate the sow seed festival.

Manasa Puja: On the last day of Shravan month (15-16 August) every year,  puja of Manasa, the Goddess of snake is performed.

Karam Parab: This festival is celebrated in Purulia after completion of paddy cultivation.

Chata Parab:  Funds of this festival comes from rich people of the society.  Chata Parab is celebrated throughout the night with dance and songs.

Bhadu: Bhadu is goddess among the backward classes like Bagdis and Bouris. Bhadu Puja is a famous festival in Purulia and also in nearby district Bankura.

Bandhna Parab: Bandhna Parab is also a local festival in Purulia which is held every year after the Kali Puja. This festival or parab is famous among the Kurmi, Bhumij, Korha, Lodha communities. The same festival for Santhals and Mundas is known as Sohray.

Jathel Utsav: Jathel Utsav is mainly celebrated by Santhals in Purulia during 15 November to 15 December every year.

Raas mela: Raas Utsav or Raas Mela is celebrated in many parts of West Bengal and Purulia district is one of them. Raas mela is celebrated mainly in Purulia town in Purulia district during Agrahayan Purnima.

Tushu: Tushu Puja is celebrated by rural women in Purulia district. Tushu songs are very popular in Purulia.

Bhansingh Puja and Parab: In Purulia, Bhansingh is regarded as God of cattle. This Puja and festival is normally celebrated during the month of Magh according to Bengali calendar. Magh month falls during 15 January to 15 February.

Akhan Jatra: Akhan Jatra is regarded as an auspicious day in Purulia which falls on the first day of Magh month according to Bengali calendar.

Chandi Puja: Chandi Puja is celebrated during the month of Magh according to Bengali calendar. A popular fair is associated with this Chandi Puja in Purulia.

Magh Sim: A famous festival of Santhals which is held every year during the month of Magh according to Bengali calendar.

Baha: Baha is a spring festival to Santhals in Purulia. Night long dance and songs are associated with this festival. The same festival of Mundas is known as  Sarjan Baha.

Bhejabindha: Cock fight is very popular among the tribal in Purulia. Bhejabindha is a festival of Santhals and cock fighting is the main event of this festival.