Kojagara (कोजागरा)
Ashwin Purnima (Oct)A celebration for newly married couples. The bride's family sends gifts (Bhar) to the groom's house. It is believed Goddess Lakshmi descends to earth asking "Ko Jagarti?" (Who is awake?), blessing those who keep vigil.
Chauth Chandra (चौठचन्द्र)
Bhadra Shukla Chaturthi (Aug-Sept)A unique festival dedicated to the Moon God. Devotees offer fruits, curd, and sweets to the moon in the evening, praying to avoid false accusations (Kalank) and seeking prosperity.
Bata Savitri (वट सावित्री)
Jyeshtha Amavasya (May-June)Married women worship the Banyan (Vat) tree, tying sacred threads around its trunk, praying for the longevity and well-being of their husbands, inspired by the legend of Savitri and Satyavan.
Sama Chakeva (सामा-चकेवा)
Kartik (Nov)A festival celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters. Women make clay idols of birds (Sama and Chakeva) and sing folk songs, eventually submerging the idols in ponds or rivers.
Tusari (तुसारी)
Makar Sankranti to AprilObserved by young unmarried girls who worship the Earth and Sun, making small cow-dung mounds decorated with flowers, praying for a good husband and happy future.
The list goes on... Satyanarayan Puja, Indra Puja, Saraswati Puja, and many local village deity (Gram Devata) worships.
Know another festival? Tell us!