Jamshedpur witnessed a vibrant celebration of Tusu and Makar Sankranti on Wednesday. The Kolhan division organized numerous social, religious, and cultural events to mark the occasion. These festivities carried a strong message about protecting local rivers.
River Rituals Kick Off the Day
The day began with sacred 'nadi pujan' or river worship ceremonies. Devotees gathered at several key ghats across the city. These included Domuhani ghat in Sonari, Gandhi ghat in Mango, and Pandey ghat in Bhuiyadih. People also congregated at Bhojpur ghat in Baridih and Bodhanwala ghat in Bistupur.
Organizers designed these programs with a clear purpose. They aimed to spread awareness about the deteriorating condition of important waterways. The Subarnarekha, Kharkai, and Domuhani rivers face significant pollution threats.
Political Leader Stresses Public Responsibility
Jamshedpur (West) MLA Saryu Roy participated in the Domuhani celebrations. He addressed the crowd with a powerful statement. "Our rivers get cleaned naturally during the monsoon season," Roy noted. "First, we pollute these water bodies. Then, we spend millions of rupees trying to clean them up again."
The MLA emphasized collective duty. He urged everyone to take responsibility for river conservation. Roy specifically asked people to stop dumping garbage into rivers.
Two Decades of Dedicated Organization
The Subarnarekha Kshetra Vikas Trust (SKVT) and Yugantar Bharati jointly organized the main event. This marked their 21st consecutive year of arranging these festival programs. Their long-term commitment highlights the ongoing importance of this environmental cause.
Cultural Festivities Draw Large Crowds
Revellers gathered in massive numbers at key locations. Domuhani and Bhilaipahari in Mango, situated along NH-33, became hubs of activity. These spots hosted lively cultural events that entertained attendees.
Folk dances and comedy shows delighted audiences at both venues. The Hindu Utsav Samiti organized a special 'Patang utsav' or kite festival at Domuhani. They also held a drawing competition focused on nature conservation. These activities generated great enthusiasm among the youth participants.
Evening Ganga Aarti Becomes Day's Highlight
The evening featured a magnificent Ganga aarti ceremony at Domuhani ghat. Priests performed the ritual amid resonant Vedic chants. Traditional drum beats accompanied the prayers, creating a spiritually charged atmosphere.
This aarti was conducted in the style of the famous ceremonies at Varanasi ghats. Many attendees described it as the absolute highlight of the entire day's celebrations.
Celebrations Spread Across the Region
Festive programs extended beyond Jamshedpur city limits. Seraikela-Kharsawan and West Singhbhum districts also hosted numerous events. Large, enthusiastic crowds attended these district-level celebrations, showing widespread participation across the Kolhan division.
The dual festivals of Tusu and Makar Sankranti successfully blended tradition with contemporary environmental awareness. Jamshedpur's community demonstrated how cultural celebrations can promote vital ecological messages.
