In Dinajpur's Hili, the Karam festival of santals was held with worship, devotional prayers and dancing. The karam festival was celebrated on Monday night at Gohara, Bagmara Malancha village, inhabited by santals, a small ethnic group of Hili. They have been celebrating this Karam festival every year on the 11th day of the full moon of Bhadra month. On the occasion of this festival, Santal youth fast throughout the day, then in the evening, after completing the worship, they take food. Then their celebration began. By dancing, singing and dancing, people of small ethnic groups prayed for the well-being of the country and the people to get rid of danger, avoid excessive floods and drought through the Festival of Karam.
"Our biggest festival is Karam Puja or Dal Puja. This Karam puja is performed once every year on the 11th day of the full moon of the month of Bhadra. We have been doing this puja since the time of our ancestors. All the family members, big and small, attend the festival. First we have to fast, especially the five members have to fast. After that, the akhora is done, usually with the branches of the tree. It's for our well-being, for the well-being of our families and relatives. The boys cut the dal and brought it, then soaked with water. Then the yarn has to be tied, then the tom-tom is played and danced, it is rotated and buried on the ground with a loud sound. Finally, we pray.
JH
