ROURKELA: Braving scorching heat, thousands of tribals celebrated the Sarhul festival on Saturday.
Tribal women and girls, dressed up in white sarees with red border, carried metal pots filled with new grains on their head. They marched in an impressive procession to the Sarna Puja Sthal, festival venue, in front of Rourkela Municipal College.
The festival is observed on Chaitra Purnima of Hindu calendar. Till the Sarhul rituals including worship of trees are over, tribals refrain from using new flower, leaves and fruits.
Tribal leader Manilal Kerketta said Sarhul is the most prominent religious festival of tribals. He added that tribal priests first perform Sarhul puja at their respective villages and then, devotees from various communities worship at Rourkela, which is the biggest venue in the tribal-dominated Sundargarh district. The festival is dedicated to Mother Earth and her elements which sustain life. The rituals include the wedding of Mother Earth and Sun God.
The community priests led the gathering to the Sarna Puja Sthal (sacred altar) where all offered obeisance.