The SARHUL is observed by Munda, Oraon and Santhal Adivasi communities, inhabiting in the regions of Orissa, Jharkhand, Bengal and Bihar. The Santhals call it Baha and celebrated it in February-March while, the Oraon celebrate in the month of March-April.

The verbal meaning of SARHUL is “WORSHIP OF SAL” The word SARHUL has derived from two words SAR and HUL. ‘SAR’ means SARAI (seed of Sal tree) and HUL means WORSHIP / PRAY.

In KURUKH (ie, Oraon Language - http://jharkhandi.com/oraon.aspx ) language it is known as KHADDI. Adivasis ( http://jharkhandi.com/Adivasi.aspx ) worship SAL TREE (SARNA TREE) that is believed as the place of goddess SARNA, who protects the village and the community from all kinds of natural calamities and disasters.

The worship place is known as SARNA STHAL. It is a place chosen by the priest called PAHAN or BAIGA. Usually SARNA STHAL remains aside the village where at least one Sal tree is found. This is also known as CHALA- PACHO. CHALA means SARNA and PACHO means OLD WOMAN. Therefore it means a house of old woman.

PAHAN or BAIGA is the traditional priest of tribal community. The post of priestship is inherited by birth. They may come from any tribe. PAHAN is the headman of the village and every villagers respect his statements. During SARHUL he keeps fasting from a day ago. Other villagers may also keep fasting. On the day of Sarhul, Pahan worships goddess SARNA offering blood of red or brown spotted chicken or cock and HANDIA ( http://jharkhandi.com/handia.aspx ) , a kind of local alcoholic drink made from rice. Then he moves door to door and sprinkles water in every house brought from the SARNASTHAL. This function is considered auspicious and is believed that it will bring prosperity to them.

After religious performances villagers indulge in merry making. They perform SARHUL DANCE and sing SARHUL SONGS. Villagers in their traditional dress appear very nice. Men wear KARYA, a kind of coarse DHOTI about 24-25 hand long and 1-2 hand wide cloth. Villagers with their dance group gather at a place. Their musical performances make everyone to dance.

Villagers keep all agricultural works aside during the festival. They begin their cultivation job on the next day of SARHUL with tilling their land.