On Sarhul, Soren stresses link between nature and community life

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Saturday participated in Sarhul celebrations at two locations in the state capital, invoking the festival’s deeper connection with nature, community life and tribal identity.

Accompanied by MLA Kalpana Soren, the Chief Minister attended the festival at the Adivasi College hostel campus in Karamtoli and later at the Sarna Sthal in Sirmatoli, where he offered prayers following traditional rituals.

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At the Sarna site, the customary sal flower was placed behind his ear by a pahan, symbolising the enduring relationship between nature and human existence.

Addressing gatherings, Soren said Sarhul is not merely a festival but a reminder of the ecological and cultural foundations of life. “Nature is the source of all creation and ultimately where everything returns,” he said, adding that preserving traditional practices is a shared responsibility across generations.

He observed that in a rapidly changing and material-driven world, such traditions serve as anchors that bring communities together under a shared cultural and environmental consciousness.

Describing Sarhul as a living expression of Jharkhand’s tribal heritage, the Chief Minister said the state government remains committed to protecting and promoting indigenous traditions, culture, and sacred natural sites.

The celebrations were marked by traditional music and participation from local communities, with Soren briefly joining the festivities by playing the mandar, adding to the festive atmosphere.