The Sarhul festival of Jharkhand is celebrated in honour of which tree?

Sarhul is a spring festival of the tribal communities of Jharkhand, especially the Oraon, Munda and Ho peoples. It is celebrated in honour of the Sal tree, which is regarded as sacred, and it marks the beginning of the new year for these communities. The name Sarhul is often explained as "worship of the Sal".

Sarhul is celebrated in the month of Chaitra (March-April), when the Sal trees blossom with new flowers. It is celebrated before the sowing of new crops. The festival honours nature and the relationship between people and the forest. According to tribal belief, the Sal tree is the home of Sarna Maa, the village deity who protects the village. Sarhul is an important part of the Sarna religion, the traditional nature-worshipping faith of many tribal communities of Jharkhand.

During the festival, the village priest, called the Pahan, performs rituals at the Sarna Sthal, the sacred grove of Sal trees in the village. He offers Sal flowers, rice beer and other offerings to the deities and prays for a good monsoon and a good harvest. He also observes the water in pots to predict the rainfall of the coming year. The Pahan then distributes Sal flowers to the villagers, who wear them in their hair or place them on their homes. The festival is celebrated with traditional songs, dances and drumming, and large processions are held in cities such as Ranchi. Sarhul is a state holiday in Jharkhand.

Other tribal festivals of Jharkhand include Sohrai (worship of cattle after Diwali), Karam (worship of the Karam tree), Tusu (a winter harvest festival) and Bhagta Parab.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Peepal tree is sacred in Hinduism and Buddhism; the Buddha attained enlightenment under a peepal (Bodhi) tree.
• ✗Banyan tree is worshipped by married women during Vat Savitri.
• ✗Neem tree leaves are eaten at Ugadi and Gudi Padwa.