- Area: Tribal locales of Mayurbhanj, Balangir, Dhenkanal, Orissa, Sundargarh, Keonjhar and Sambalpur
- Feted By: Oraon, Kol, Ho, Bhumij, Binjhals, Kisan, and Bhuiyan Tribes
- Ruling Idol: Goddess Karamsaniand God Karama
- Fall in the month of: (August to September) Bhadrab
The Karama or the Karma Fiesta is widely celebrated amongst the Tribal group of Mayurbhanj, Bolangir, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, and Dhenkanal. The tribal group who observe this in Orissa includes: Kisan, Bhumij, Binjhals, Oraon, Ho, and Kol. The low creed Hindus also celebrate this festival. The tribal group of Madhya Pradesh and Bihar also celebrate Karama Festival.
Time of the Fiesta
The ruling God in this festival is either Karamsani or Karama who is presented with a small branch of (Karama Tree). Karama Festival is commenced in the month of(Bhadra or Bhadrab)at the time of the rainy season.
Rituals
People march to the jungle escorted by crowd of drummers to cut 1 branch of Karama Tree. The branch is carried by spinster girls, according to the customs if they do this, they will get married soon. The branches are placed in the middle of the ground and are also festooned with flowers. The priest of the village called as Dehuri or Jhankar offers liquor and germinated grams in conciliation to the idol who grants children, wealth and good husband for all the spinsters. A hen is also sacrificed in honor of Karama. After all the rituals, the village priests narrates the epic of God Karama and also explains the importance of this festival.
Different Legends
The legends differentiate from (tribe-to-tribe). Amongst the tribal group of Orans, Bhumij and Ho it is believed that there were 7 brothers who lived together. The youngest one of them used to stay at home with his 6 sister in laws and used to enjoy dancing and singing with them around the Karama Tree. One day his 6 sister in laws forgot to carry morning meals for their respective husbands in the field. In the afternoon when the brothers returned, were very agitated with their wives and brother. They threw the Karama Tree in to the river, with this act; the younger brother got angry and left the house. The bad days started wandering upon the brothers with house and crops being damaged. In the meanwhile, the younger brother found his Karama Tree floating. Then he appeased the Karama Tree, who refurbished the whole thing. Finally he came back home and told his brothers the reason for their bad days. Since that day, Karama Devata is adored with strict rituals. After the recitation of the complete story, all women and men have liquor and the entire night is passed in dancing and singing.
Other legend amongst the Pauri Bhuiyans believes that, there was a businessman who had returned to his village after a voyage, he was carrying many valuable utensils and precious metals in his vessel. As soon as he reached the riverside, he expected that he would be welcomed by his family as per as the rituals. However, they were all busy with the Karama Festival. The businessman got very angry and he uprooted the Karama Tree and threw it in the River. As soon as he did this, his vessel sank. He consulted some of the astrologers to know the reason behind this. The businessman was surprised to know the reason and he rushed in to the river in search of the deity of Karama Devta. As soon as he found the deity, he appeased the deity with great dedication and as a result Lord Karama returned all his wealth. This festival is celebrated with sincerity and after the Puja gets over, the uprooted branches of the tree are immersed in the river.
Two ways of complete celebration
- The fiesta is celebrated in 2 ways: celebrated by the villagers together and the intake of liquor is compulsory.
- Other way: celebrated by the person in his quad under his benefaction and all other villagers are invited.
