What is Karam Puja? Who Celebrates This Festival? Unknown Facts About a Colorful Folk Festival of Bengal
Karam Puja: Karam Puja is a significant harvest festival celebrated in states such as Jharkhand, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Odisha, and West Bengal. It is primarily observed as a festival of creation and origin. The name ‘Karam’ is derived from ‘Karma.’ This festival takes place on the eleventh day of the bright fortnight (Shukla Ekadashi) in the month of Bhadra and is a profound tribute to nature and fertility. The festival holds particular importance for the people of the Manbhum region of West Bengal (Purulia, Bankura, West Medinipur).
Preparation for Karam Puja and Jawa Leaves
Seven days before Karam Puja, young unmarried women begin the preparations. They wake up early in the morning, bathe in a river or pond, and fill small baskets made of bamboo and twigs with sand. Afterward, they circle these baskets three times at a specific spot on the village outskirts while singing “Jawa” songs. In these baskets, seeds like mustard, moong, and chickpeas are mixed with oil and turmeric and planted. These ‘Jawa’ saplings are considered a symbol of creativity.
The Main Ritual of the Puja
On the day of the puja, men collect branches of the Sal tree. Two branches are planted at a designated place in the village and worshipped in the evening as Karam Thakur or Karam Gosain and Dharam Thakur. Unmarried girls fast throughout the day and offer flowers, fruits, and other items in the evening. This is followed by a whole night of singing and dancing. The next morning, the girls uproot the sprouted seedlings from the ‘Jawa,’ distribute them among themselves, and scatter them in various parts of their homes. The Karam branches are then immersed in water. At the end of the puja, the girls tie a ‘Karamdor’ or Rakhi on each other’s wrists.
Karam Songs and Dance
A vital part of this festival is the “Jawa-gaan” (Jawa songs). These songs have been passed down orally for generations and express the subtle emotions of women. The “Karam” dance is performed to these songs, with girls dancing in a circle around the ‘Jawa.’ These songs and dances reflect the joys, sorrows, and daily life of the people and are considered a valuable part of Bengali folk literature.
Government Holiday
In 2023, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, had declared a full-day public holiday for Karam Puja. For the current year as well, a holiday notification for Karam Puja has been issued for September 3rd, highlighting the growing importance of this festival.
