A Celebration of Nature, Vibrant Culture and Joyous Life: A Symbol of Unity in Diversity... Called TUSU PARAB!

Abstract:

Tusu Festival is a harvest festival. It begins on the last day of the Bengali month of Aghrayan (mid-December) and continues through the month of Poush, ending on Makar Sankranti. This day also marks the last day of winter harvesting and also the end of the agriculture year.

Tusu Festival is celebrated in different ways across the state. In Bankura and some other parts, Tusu is worshipped in round terracotta pots surrounded by lamps. In Purulia and some parts of Odisha, Bihar, Assam and Jharkhand, it is celebrated around Chaudal (a rectangular structure made of bamboo and coloured papers). In Medinipur and some other areas of Bankura, Tusu is represented as a tiny doll, while in the Sunderban area, Tusu is depicted as Goddess Lakshmi.

Keywords

TUSU, Makar Sankranti, Festivals, Choudal, Women power.

Learning Outcomes

After undergoing this article you will be able to understand the following :

1. What's exactly TUSU PARAB?

2. Importance of Tusu Festival

3. Demographics of Tusu Festival

4. Customs and Traditions

5. Various facets of Tusu and Makar Sankranti

6. Conclusions

7. FAQs

References

An Introduction: The TUSU PARAB 

India is a land of such multifarious and eclectic nuances that even one lifetime wouldn't be enough to explore it. Once in a while, we experience a fragment of such diversity, leaving us in awe. Let's consider the upcoming Makar Sankranti and its myriad hues in different Indian regions. I learned the existence of another facet of this festival which is primarily restricted to Northern Odisha, West Bengal and part of Jharkhand. 

Demographics of Tusu Festival 

The festival Tusu, is mostly celebrated in Southwest of West Bengal, Southeast of Jharkhand, Northeastern Odisha as well in the Tea-State of Assam.

A Festival of Tribals 

The demoo It is called Tusu or Tusu Parab. The semi-rural city shares borders with West Bengal and the united Bihar (erstwhile). And the entire belt of these three states is highly populated by Tribal. The arrival of Tusu used to cast a rustic festive charm, and the sing-song music in the local dialect in memory of Goddess Tusu would come alive. What made these memories even denser were those delectable varieties of traditional pitha (rice and lentil dumplings), sweets prepared by a few neighbours and distributed to the neighbourhood. Fast forward to today, the mention of Makar Sankranti conjures up images of the Tusu festival and its vivid tones. 

Tusu's celebration 

Makar Sankranti is known and celebrated as Tusu Parab, staying true to its folk traditions. The largest concentrations of its celebration may be seen in significant parts of South Bengal, Jharkhand, and northeastern Odisha. On Makar Sankranti, a harvest festival, Goddess Tusu is honoured with thunderous cheers, heartfelt tributes, food, fairs, music, or Tusu gaan. Rice and paddy are the core constituents of it. 

Young girls worshipping Goddess Tusu, 

Customs and Traditions 

The last paddy stack on the field after everything else has been cut off is called dinimai. It's Tusu, the dinimai which is brought from the farm by the family's head, and the young girls start Tusu that day. The Bengali word for rice bran, "tush," or husk, is said to be the source of the word "tusu." However, there more school of thoughts claiming different connotations of the word "Tusu."

It is a time of celebration and expressing thanks to Mother Earth or nature when winter starts to recede. People give each other presents, especially til, the traditional sweets made with sesame. It is also celebrated with a feast that includes a dish made of green gram, rice and jaggery.

Tusu Chaudals: The ornamental small decorated portable Puja home 

At Paus' or Poush's conclusion, the participants arranged the instruments in a structure resembling a temple fashioned of bamboo, paper, and other embellishments. These are called chaurals, vehicle of Goddess Tusu. To honour Makar Sankranti, people proceed in a procession to nearby waterbodies, where they immerse the idol and the chaudal and take a dip. 

Recent changes have occurred in the way indigenous people now observe Tusu. On Sankranti, some prefer not to immerse their chaudals; instead, they carry them to fairs in neighbouring villages where competitions are held. To earn rewards, many youths choose to have tall, ornamental chaudals.  

Traditional festive food and use of ingredients

Girls present rice, flowers, and other items on a base made of rice bran as part of the ceremony. Throughout the entire month of Paush, these are placed in a designated arrangement within a room and used to worship the goddess Tusu. Similar traditions are used to celebrate Tusu in roughly all communities. While many traditional practices have evolved, one feature that has preserved its originality is the cuisine. During this festival, particularly on Makar Sankranti, a variety of peethas, both steamed and fried dumplings, are prepared. The gur peetha, also known as arsa in the area, are integral to Tusu Parab. These peethas mainly call for grounded rice flour and jaggery; at times, freshly grated coconut is added to the ingredients list. 

Traditional peetha prepared during Tusu, 

There are also native pancakes and crepes. Mudhi lai, tilkut, and roti pitha are a few of the most well-known dishes, particularly in the Jharkhand region. These are cooked in huge amounts at home and distributed to friends and family. This sharing of celebratory treats highlights the value of unity during the auspicious occasion. In Bengal, the harvest festival of Tusu is held chiefly in the Purulia district and culminates on the last day of Poush month. Rice and sesame dumplings with coconut fillings are among the festival foods dedicated to the goddess.

Tusu Festival at Chandil, Subarnarekha River

The Tusu at Chandil is definitely a display to behold. With the morning mist still hovering above the Subarnarekha, we reached Chandil. Tusu also calls for much fanfare among the villagers. The place around the Chandil temples was getting decked up for the village fair. The villagers have already come with their merchandise and were setting up their stalls. Why so many stalls for a village fair? I wondered. Well, I did get the answer in the afternoon when the whole place was filled with people all around. Festivals are for spreading happiness, a time when people forget their worries, dress in their finest to meet and greet others, Tusu Festival was no exception.

The shopkeepers at the fair told us that the women with the Chaudals will start arriving at the river only after 10 AM. So we thought of taking a quick detour to Chandil Dam. At around 12 noon we were back . This time, we were greeted by a buzz of people all around. A lot of them were taking a holy dip in the Subarnarekha River while we waited for the Chaudals to arrive. The Chaudals are actually a structure made of bamboo and decorated with colourful papers, dolls and other trivial. Earlier the Chaudals were made at home by chaste virgin girls. Nowadays, the Choudals are sold in the market.

History and Story of Tusumani:  The memoirs 

As I am an urbanite now and have come far away from those rustic festivities, I recollect the stories of Tusu, which had many legends. 

Legend 1:

Some believed she was Tusumani, a poor daughter of a potter who got married to a prince but lost him to death. She couldn't endure the separation and jumped into the pyre of her deceased husband on Makar Sankranti. 

Legend 2

Another version talks of Tusumani, who saved the lives of villagers by drowning herself in a river. 

Legend 3

The third legend narrates how the statue of Tusumani, a beautiful young girl who had a premature death, kept her beloved king alive and helped him recover from the trauma. Whichever stories one believes, the festival brings back Tusumani to life. The flavours of food specially made during this time make all of it feel more real. 

Beginning of New Year

It is also celebrated as beginning of New Year in parts of Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Assam.

The marriage of Kudmi, Munda, Oraon and other communities are considered pious.

Different Facets of Makar Sankranti 

Tusu is one of the myriad facets of Makar Sankranti celebrated in India. Nevertheless, rustic festivals like this are custodians of Indian vibrant culture.  

Makar Sankrati, the Indian festival to celebrate in most of India and Nepal. The following list tells reasons why Makar Sankranti is different than other festival.

Makar Sankrati, the Indian festival to celebrate harvest and is celebrated in most of India and Nepal. The festival is unique and is traditional to the Indian culture. The following list tells 5 reasons why Makar Sankranti is different than most any other Indian festival.

Makar Sankranti is a vibrant and joyous festival celebrated throughout India on January 14th every year. Signifying the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makar), this auspicious occasion holds immense significance in Hindu culture. Makar Sankranti not only honors and worships the Sun God but also marks the beginning of longer and warmer days, symbolizing new beginnings, harvest, and prosperity.

The festival of Makar Sankranti is deeply rooted in ancient traditions and mythology. According to Hindu beliefs, the Sun God, Surya, is considered one of the most powerful deities, representing energy, light, and life. It is widely believed that on this day, the divine forces descend upon earth to bless and bestow prosperity and good fortune onto mankind.

Makar Sankranti

One of the key aspects of Makar Sankranti is the ritual of taking a holy dip in sacred rivers. Devotees throng to riverbanks, most notably the Ganges, Yamuna, and Godavari, to cleanse their sins and seek divine blessings. This practice signifies the purification of the mind and body, as well as the riddance of negative energies, paving the way for new beginnings and personal growth.
 1. It falls on the same day every year according to the Gregorian calendar. Unlike many cultural festivals which move around on the calendar each year, Makar Sankrati is always celebrated on January 15th with a few exceptions where it is on the 13th. 
 
2. It falls on the solstice so the day and night are the same length. After the festival, spring officially begins and the days will become longer and nights become shorter.

3. Kites are significant to the festival because the festival marks the beginning of spring which meant people could now spend more time outdoors. Flying kites was a nice way to spend time in the morning sun and has remained a Makar Sankrati tradition.

4. During Makar Sankrati many chikkis, or sesame and jaggery ladoos, are consumed. They are associated with the festival because it occurs during winter where you are supposed to eat warm foods that have health benefits.

5. The festival is called Makar Sankrati because it is when the sun enters the sun-sign of Capricorn, also called Makara. The Sankrati part of the name comes from the movement of the sun from one sign to another.

FAQs 

1. What is the significance of kite flying during Makar Sankranti?

Kite flying during Makar Sankranti represents the awakening of the gods from their deep slumber during the winter solstice. It is believed that flying kites helps bring good luck, prosperity, and drives away evil spirits. The sky fills with colorful kites, and it becomes a competitive sport among communities.

2. Are there any specific rituals associated with Makar Sankranti?

Yes, there are various rituals associated with Makar Sankranti. People perform prayers, offer special food items, and visit temples. Taking a holy dip at the confluence of rivers during this time is believed to wash away sins. Others also donate food, clothes, and money to the needy as an act of charity.

3. What are some traditional dishes prepared during Makar Sankranti?

Sesame seeds and jaggery-based dishes are an essential part of Makar Sankranti celebrations. One popular sweet is "Til Ladoo," made with roasted sesame seeds, jaggery, and ghee. People also prepare dishes like "Khichdi," "Pitha," "Kheer," and "Gur Rewri" that vary based on regional preferences.

Conclusions

According to Kurmi rituals, Tusu is similar to unmarried girls. As a girl grows up with care in her family, the grains and seeds are also taken care of by the family which worships Tusu. The immersion of Tusu in the water is same as the leaving of a newly married girl for her marital family. Since a grain or seed can flourish only after it gets water, a newly married girl can become pregnant only after copulating with her husband in her in-laws’ house. Tusu is seen as the harbinger of life and prosperity.

References:

1. Various articles on Google search www google.com

2. Instagram images

3. Local villagers of Chandil