Much like mainstream society, festivals hold significant importance in tribal culture as well. One notable celebration is Karma Puja, which is dedicated to the wellbeing of families. This festival is particularly important for the tribal communities in Odisha, especially in regions like Mayurbhanj, Sambalpur, Bolangir, and Sundargarh. Celebrated during August and September, Karma Puja is also a major event for tribal groups in Jharkhand and West Bengal. Prameyanews.com spoke with several members of the tribal community to learn more about the festival, its rituals, and the celebrations surrounding it.
30 year old Samananda Tudu of Khukundia village in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district has been involved in the rituals of Karma Puja since childhood. He notes that people of all ages, genders, and social backgrounds participate with deep devotion in honoring the Karama deity. While the festival is filled with fun and festivities, it also carries a strong sense of spirituality and philosophy. "We depend entirely on land, water, and forests for our survival. Nature and the environment are our gods. If we care for Mother Nature and worship her sincerely, she eases our sufferings and blesses us in return," he explains.
During the celebration, boys venture into the forest to gather wood, fruits, and flowers for the puja. The community dances, sings, and enjoys themselves over the course of three days. Many who have moved away return to their villages to celebrate with their families. Girls play a vital role in the festival as well; it's believed that if a maiden fasts on the last day, the village's farming community will enjoy a bountiful harvest. Additionally, if girls observe the rituals with sincerity, they are thought to attract good life partners.
Another devotee, Sagar Marandi of Patihinja village in Mayurbhanj shares, “Karama Puja is a tribute to the Karama tree, which symbolizes fertility, prosperity and all that is auspicious. Tribals view the Karama tree as a living being and a representative of the divine. This belief is why they worship its seeds and branches, along with local sand and other natural offerings. The Karama Devta is revered by those who rely on nature for their livelihoods. The day also holds significance for siblings, as sisters pray for their brothers’ well-being. Additionally, married couples worship the deity for a happy and harmonious married life.”
58 years old Balaram Mohanta from Rayapada village in Mayurbhanj has been a devoted follower of the Karama deity since his childhood. He explains, “Karma Puja is one of the most celebrated festivals in Mayurbhanj, closely tied to the harvesting season. The festival lasts three days, from Tuesday to Thursday, during a week in August or September as determined by the priest. On Tuesday, devotees don new clothes and visit the nearest river. After performing certain rituals, they collect sand in a bamboo basket and return to the village. This sand is placed in designated spot, where five types of grains—urad, moong, mustard, horse gram, and flax seed are sown. By Thursday, the seeds are expected to germinate, which is seen as a blessing from the deity.
Following this, branches of the Karama tree are collected. During this ritual, singing and dancing take place, all under the guidance of a village priest. Once separated from the tree, the branches are revered as divine and planted in the center of an open yard, which is prepped with cow dung and decorated with flowers. The branches are adorned with garlands and offered curd, rice, and more flowers. For the Kudumi and Mahanta communities, this day is considered one of the most auspicious of the year.”
