EAST INDIA VILLAGE FESTIVALS

The villages in east India are rich in tradition and their cultural heritage. They are famous for celebrating a variety of vibrant festivals throughout the year. The East Indian village festivals are celebrated with much pomp and cheerfulness and are considered some of the greatest events to enjoy. The villagers take these festivals as a platform for social communication and also as a way to get relief from the stress of their daily life. The villages in the states of West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and Assam can be clubbed into the term `East Indian villages`.

There are many festivals celebrated in the villages of West Bengal round the year. People from all strata of the village society celebrate these festivals. The major East Indian village festivals include Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Jagaddhatri Puja, Holi, Poila Boishakh (Bengali New Year), Ratha Yatra, Raksha Bandhan, Kojagari Lakshmi Puja, Saraswati Puja, Christmas, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha, etc. Apart from these, there are also a few other festivals celebrated by all villagers round the year. These festivals include Janmashtami, Bhai Phonta, Poush Parban, Shivaratri, Dolyatra, Akshay Tritiya, Buddha Purnima, Jamai Shasthi, Snanjatra, Jhulanyatra, Vishwakarma Puja, Annakut Utsav, Kartik Puja, Basanti Puja, Charak Puja, etc.

The festivals of Bihar are counted amongst the most notable East Indian village festivals. People in the villages of Bihar celebrate various festivals that can be classified as religious or seasonal and some of them are related to harvesting. Chhath Puja is one of the major religious festivals celebrated in the East Indian villages. The villagers worship the setting sun during Chhath Puja. It is celebrated twice in a year, once in the Bengali month of Chaitra and the other is in Kartik. Sama-Chakeva is another important village festival in east India. The celebration of this festival is done in the winter season with the arrival of colourful birds from Himalayas that migrate towards the plains. Apart from these, the other major festivals celebrated in the villages of east India include Ramnavami, Makar-Sankranti (also known as Tila Sankranti), Bihula, Madhushravani, Basant Panchami, etc.

The East Indian villages present a perfect blend of composite culture including the tribal cultures. Many tribal communities live in the villages of east India and they celebrate different types of festivals throughout the year. Bihu is one of the principal East Indian village festivals and is mainly celebrated in the villages of Assam. There are three forms of Bihu festival namely the Bohag Bihu or Rongali Bihu, the Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu and the Kati Bihu or Kongali Bihu. Various tribal communities celebrate the Bihu festival in different names like Baisagu, Baikhu, Ali- Ai -Ligang, Bohhaggio Bishu, etc. The Nara-siga Bihu, Pushy Par or Tushu Puja, etc. are some of the contemporaries of Magh Bihu. Apart from these, there are also a few other community festivals celebrated in the East Indian villages that include Rongker, Rajini Gabra, Harni Gabra, etc.

Ratha Yatra is a major East Indian village festival mostly celebrated in the villages of Orissa and West Bengal. The festival is celebrated in order to commemorate the journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balaram and their sister, Shuvodra to their maternal home. Apart from Ratha Yatra, there are also a few tribal festivals celebrated in the villages of Orissa including the Chaita Parva and Bali Yatra.

The East Indian village festivals are famous all over the country for their bright colours and lights. People from all over the country visit the East Indian village during the festivals to experience the villagers` wonderful style of celebration.