Baha festival in Jharkhand’s Latia village, prayers for peace and happiness

Mail News Service

Jadugoda, March 11: Baha festival was celebrated by tribal communities at Jahergarh in Latia village, Musabani Block in East Singhbum District of Jharkhand, on Friday with reverence and gaiety. Devotees including girls and women sang and danced to the accompaniment of tribal percussion instruments and wore traditional attire.  Nayake Baba (chief priest) Khela Ram Soren  and Majhi Baba Kunjo Mahali were welcomed with dance and music. Nayke Baba offered prayers to the Sarna deities at Jahergarh. Offerings were made to please the gods and seek their divine blessings for peace and prosperity. After the prayer rituals, women celebrated the Baha festival with traditional flair. They wore flower rings on their forehead. Later in the evening rural women, men and children joined together for the Baha dances performed to signify the message of brotherhood. After performing Baha Puja, Nayke Baba was taken to his residence by dancers as a sign of respect. The villagers continued to perform dances and make merry till late into the night. Latia resident and local district councilor Budheshwar Murmu, Chandan Mahali, Rakesh Murmu, Jog Majhi Kalicharan Mahali and others participated in the Baha Bonga festivities.