Khunta, May 26: In a rare and deeply symbolic tradition, a family in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district underwent a unique “rebirth” ritual after returning to their indigenous Sarna faith from another religion. The extraordinary ceremony, rooted in Santali community customs, has drawn widespread attention for its cultural significance.

The incident took place in Nuagaon-Dungurudihi village under Bholagadia Panchayat in Khunta block of Mayurbhanj district.

According to reports, the family of Lembu Hansda had converted to a minority religion nearly five years ago after being promised relief from domestic problems and illnesses. However, after realizing those promises were false, the family decided to return to their ancestral Sarna faith.

As per Santali traditions, re-entering the community required the family to symbolically take a “new birth.” A three-foot-deep pit was dug in an agricultural field, and the family members entered it before crawling out while crying like newborn babies. A lotus stem tied around their waists symbolized the umbilical cord, which was later ceremonially cut to mark their rebirth into the faith.

After emerging from the pit, the family was taken to their home, where villagers performed additional purification rituals. The symbolic “umbilical cord” was buried inside the house according to tradition, followed by rituals similar to those performed after childbirth.

The ceremony also included head-shaving rites, the wearing of new clothes, and the sprinkling of sacred paste to purify and welcome the family back into the Sarna faith. To mark the occasion, Lembu Hansda’s family hosted a community feast and offered traditional ‘handia’ as part of the celebrations.

With the completion of the rituals, the family was officially accepted back into the Santali Sarna community, marking what villagers described as their spiritual rebirth.