Tribal women with kalash are on way to offer prayer to Sarna Ma at Dohu Toli in Hatma while a puja being performed (below) during Sarhul celebrations. Pictures by Manik Bose and Hardeep Singh

Ranchi, March 21: The festive mood was in the air as major thoroughfares of the city were adorned with red and white flags and makeshift tents and youngsters dancing to tribal beats marking Sarhul, celebrated to worship mother nature.

Tribal youths were dressed in their vibrant best with the sakhua flower prominently placed behind their ears dancing to the traditional beats of the nagara and mandar. The pahans (tribal priests) were seen putting tilak on the foreheads of the devotees at the Adivasi College Hostel after the rituals were performed at the sarna — the place of worship.

Songs in the Kuduk language like Mahu ke march palti sabhi jhad gaya re were sung by a group young tribals — girls dressed in traditional white saris with a red border and boys in a loin cloth — while performing the Jhumar dance in perfect rhythm.

Red and white flags depicting peace and harmony were hoisted near Plaza, Kutchery, Siramtoli, Radium Road, Albert Ekka Chowk and Karamtoli Chowk. Even people of other communities joined hands with local tribal organisations like the Chaiti Durga Puja Mahasamiti, near the Main Road, to celebrate the festival of nature worship.

Tribal organisations like the Jharkhand Loktantrik Chatra Morcha, Jan Vikas Morcha and Jharkhand Sarna Jan Parishad constructed makeshift stalls along the Radium Road, Kutchery Chowk and Albert Ekka Chowk where the main procession took place.

Chief minister Madhu Koda visited the students at the Adivasi Hostel and sportingly drank the hadia (rice beer) and swayed to the beats of the mandar. “The government will soon build a separate hostel for tribal students in Delhi who are appearing in the civil services examination,” Koda said.

Misha Kumari Khalkho, who was enjoying the procession, said the festival was all about having fun.