Santali Festival Declarations
Official calendar and cultural guidelines for traditional Santali festivals and Sarna Dharam observances
Why Official Declarations Matter
Ensuring authentic and unified celebration of Santali traditions
Verified festival dates based on traditional calculation methods
Unified observances across all Santali communities worldwide
Eliminate confusion and incorrect festival representations
Major Santali Festivals
Traditional celebrations with official dates and cultural significance
The flower festival celebrating the blooming season and renewal of nature. Marks the beginning of the agricultural year with worship of Marang Buru and sacred grove ceremonies.
Cultural Significance:
The most important harvest festival celebrating agricultural prosperity and cattle wealth. Features elaborate rituals, animal worship, and community feasting.
Cultural Significance:
Festival dedicated to the Karam deity and sacred Karam tree. Young people perform traditional dances around the Karam branch, seeking blessings for prosperity.
Cultural Significance:
Winter festival marking the transition season with fire ceremonies, ancestor worship, and community bonding through shared meals and traditional rituals.
Cultural Significance:
Sarna Dharam Observances
Traditional religious practices and spiritual ceremonies
Sacred grove worship and ceremonies conducted by traditional priests at the Jaher Than (sacred grove). Regular observances throughout the year.
Special winter worship dedicated to ancestors and deities. Includes elaborate rituals, sacrifices, and community participation.
Seed sowing ceremonies with blessings from traditional priests. Marks the beginning of the agricultural season.
Green crop worship performed when crops begin to show growth. Seeking protection and good yields.
Traditional Calendar System
Santali festivals follow a traditional lunar-solar calendar system coordinated with agricultural seasons. Festival dates are calculated based on moon phases, seasonal markers, and traditional knowledge passed down through generations.
SCRC Verification Process
SCRC consults with traditional authorities, Manjhi-Pargana leaders, and elder councils to verify festival dates each year. Official declarations are published 2-3 months in advance for community preparation.
Step 1
Traditional calculation by elders
Step 2
SCRC verification and consensus
Step 3
Public declaration release
Guidelines for Content Creators
Requirements for accurate festival representation
- Use only SCRC-verified festival dates in all content
- Reference official declarations for ritual descriptions
- Consult traditional authorities for accurate practices
- Apply for SCRC certification before publication
- Display SCRC approval badge on published content
- Using incorrect or arbitrary festival dates
- Depicting sacred rituals without proper understanding
- Commercializing festivals without cultural consent
- Creating fictional festival variations or modifications
- Publishing content without SCRC certification
All resources are provided free of charge for educational and cultural purposes. Commercial use requires SCRC approval.
Creating Festival-Related Content?
Get your content certified by SCRC to ensure authentic festival representation