Delhi, 3 September (H.S.):

On the auspicious occasion of Karma Puja, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his heartfelt greetings to all citizens, especially the tribal communities across India. In a message posted on X, the Prime Minister highlighted the festival’s symbolic representation of the undying love between brothers and sisters, coupled with the sacred worship of nature.

PM Modi's tweet reads:

Heartfelt wishes to all fellow countrymen, especially tribal families, on Karma Puja. This festival symbolizes the inseparable love between brother and sister, and carries special importance for the worship of nature. May this holy occasion bring happiness, prosperity, and good health to everyone, and also inspire environmental conservation.

Karma Puja is a significant tribal harvest festival celebrated predominantly in Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Assam, and neighboring regions. It honors Karam Devta, the deity of youth, power, and fertility, and includes rituals venerating the sacred Karam tree, a symbol of life and prosperity. The festival, observed on the eleventh day of the full moon in the Hindu month of Bhado (August-September), entails fasting, worship, traditional songs and dances, and prayers for good harvests and community well-being.

Integral to Karma Puja is the celebration of sibling bonds, where sisters pray for the long life and prosperity of their brothers, reinforcing familial harmony alongside respect for nature. The festival also underscores environmental protection, emphasizing the interdependence between humans and the natural world.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar