Saama Chakeba
Sama Chakeva being celebrated in Sarlahi district of Madhesh Province, Nepal
Also calledSaama Khela
Observed byMaithils and Tharu people (India & Nepal)
TypeCultural, historical, religious
SignificanceBond between siblings
BeginsThe day after Kartik Shashthi
EndsKartik Purnima

Saama Chakeba is a Hindu festival, originating from the Mithila and Bhojpuri[1][2]region of the Indian subcontinent.[3][4][5] It is a festival of unity. It is celebrated in November and commences when birds begin their migration from the Himalayas down towards the plains of India. According to the Hindustan Times, the festival, which includes folk theater and song, celebrates the love between brothers and sisters and is based on a legend recounted in the Puranas. It is celebrated by Maithilis, Bhojpuriyas and Tharu people of India and Nepal.[6]

Mythological significance

It tells the story of Sama, a daughter of Krishna who had been falsely accused of wrongdoing. Her father punished her by turning her into a bird, but the love and sacrifice of her brother Chakeva eventually allowed her to regain human form.[7]

Celebration

The celebration starts from the night of Chhath puja. This is the 7th day of the month of Kartik. Young, mostly unmarried girls assemble near the ghats of chhath with a basket containing small idols of sama and chakeva, candles, kohl, clay made daily use appliances etc. at night.[8]

They sing traditional songs, perform some rituals, like making kohl, exchanging baskets. This celebration continues till Kartik Purnima. On the auspicious occasion of Kartik Purnima, girls take a dip in river and the idols of sama and chakeva are immersed in the river.[9][10]

References

  1. ^ "पर्यावरण रक्षा का संदेश देता सामा चकवा". Dainik Jagran (in Hindi). Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  2. ^ "Sama Chakeva Images, Pictures, Photos". www-desicomments-com.translate.goog. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  3. ^ "यस्तो छ सामा-चकेवा पर्वको पौराणिक कथा र महत्व". Online Khabar (in Nepali). Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  4. ^ "About Motihari, Introduction of Motihari, Facts About Motihari". motihari.biharonline.in. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  5. ^ "बेतिया: भाई-बहन के अटूट प्रेम का प्रतीक सामा-चकेवा पर्व का समापन". ETV Bharat News. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  6. ^ "Tharu people celebrating Sama-Chakeva festival in Nepal". Republica. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  7. ^ "Sama-Chakeva festival begins from Friday". The Himalayan Times. 8 November 2018. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  8. ^ "Sama Chakeva festival begins in Mithilanchal". English.MakaluKhabar.com. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  9. ^ Bishnu K Jha, (22 November 2012). "Mithila's submerged in Sama-Chakeva celebrations". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
  10. ^ Sunita Pant Bansal (2005). Encyclopaedia of India, pp. 71-72. Smriti Books, ISBN 8187967714
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