Girls join a dance in Sitaramdera in Jamshedpur while a puja being performed in Ranchi to mark Sarhul. Pictures by Bhola Prasad and Hardeep Singh

Jamshedpur, March 21: Tribals celebrated Sarhul with traditional fervour and gaiety at Old Sitaramdera this afternoon.

Thousands of tribals — particularly from Oraon, Trikey and other communities — throng the Adivasi Oraon Samaj Samiti in Old Sitaramdera to celebrate the festival.

The tribals, including spinsters from various parts of the district, particularly from Birsa Nagar, Sankosai and Bagbera, assembled to worship mother nature.

They took out a religious procession, which started from Old Sitaramdera (Oraon Basti), passed through the commercial hubs like Sakchi and residential colonies before terminating at premises of the Adivasi Community Hall in Old Sitaramdera.

The organiser also distributed cooked mixed-rice and other fruits during the procession.

Adivasi Oraon Samaj Samiti secretary Budhan Tirkey said thousands of tribals flocked together to celebrate the biggest festival of the Oraon community.

“This time we have invited tribals, who are staying in different parts of the district, to promote unity among the tribals. Women, senior citizens and children of different age groups throng here to participate in the function,” Tirkey said.

He pointed out that the spinsters were asked to dress in traditional dress during the festival.

“It is the biggest occasions for spinsters. The bachelors figure out their ‘would-be spouse’ during the festival. The tribals of different age groups, including spinsters, dance to tune of drumbeats during night,” Tirkey said.

The youth volunteers of social outfit have arranged special programme for dance tonight.

“The youths wait for this moment. Youths, including girls, will dance to the tune of drumbeats for hours. Many youths, who work in different parts of the country, come to their home to celebrate the festival,” Bahadur Kachchap, the chief of youth wing of the Adivasi Oraon Samaj Samiti, said.

A senior police officer of Sitaramdera said the social outfit had been asked to maintain peace and harmony during the festival.

“It is the biggest festival for the tribals in the district. All necessary arrangements have been taken,” he added.