Jharkhand News: Chicken will be sacrificed for the health of cattle, cows and bulls will be decorated - jharkhand chicken sacrifice for livestock health unique tradition

Updated: Sat, 18 Oct 2025 04:27 (IST) A unique tradition is followed in Jharkhand to keep cattle healthy. Cows and bulls are decorated and chickens are sacrificed. This practice has been going on in rural areas for centuries. Villagers believe it keeps livestock safe from disease and pleases the local gods and goddesses. This tradition reflects the deep faith of the villagers towards livestock. Agricultural work remains closed for five days during Vandana Utsav. Symbolic photo Dinesh Sharma, Chakradharpur. The traditional Vandana festival of primitive tribes will be celebrated with great pomp in the rural areas of Chakradharpur subdivision from October 19 to 23. This festival is mainly celebrated by the farming community and families involved in animal husbandry, in which all work related to farming and livestock remains completely closed. Remove Ads Read News Only The festival begins on October 19 with ‘Kacha-Diya Neg’, in which cows and bulls will be welcomed by lighting lamps with pure cow ghee in Kulhi Duari. Goat puja will be held on October 20 on the day of Kartik Amavasya. Preparations for the folk festival Vandana are in full swing in the rural areas of Jharkhand. This traditional festival is associated with the respect, health and prosperity of cattle, in which many unique and culturally rich traditions are performed. Cattle are welcomed with oil, non-vegetarian food remains prohibited. Three, five or seven days before the start of the Vandana festival, cows and bulls are welcomed into villages by smearing mustard oil on their horns. During this period, non-vegetarian food is completely prohibited in homes. It is believed that the consumption of meat during this period may have adverse effects on the health of cattle. Goat Puja: The one who breaks the egg gets respect. Every day, after the oil ritual, Goat Puja is organized jointly. In this puja an egg is placed outside the village and then all the cattle are made to cross over it. The villagers carry the person whose bull breaks the egg on their shoulders and carry him respectfully to his home. From there begins the sequence of ‘Dhingwani’ dance and songs, which are sung and danced from house to house. Amavasya Night: Dhingwani and Raas of Colors After Goat Puja, the program of Dhingwani continues throughout the Amavasya night. During this time the villagers celebrate with Abeer and colours. The next morning, Gohal Puja takes place, in which rooster and hen are sacrificed in each Gohal, praying for the health and longevity of the cattle. Welcome to Alpana, dance of bulls. As the evening approaches, Alpana is decorated with colorful colors in the courtyards. According to tradition, the cow is the first to be imported into the Alpana. Only then are other cattle welcomed. Before entering Alpana, the cows are greeted by showing them garlands and lamps made of rice plants. Cows and bulls are specially decorated and they are also made to dance. Bulls dance with the people to the beat of drums and songs, which is the special identity of this festival.