Sama Chakeva is an important festival celebrated in the northern Indian state of Bihar. Also spelled Sama Chakeba, it is mainly celebrated amongst the Maithali-speaking population. This festival honours the strong relationship between brother and sister. It also represents the tradition of this land as well as the art of making idols. It usually commences on the seventh day of Kartik (November) and ends on Kartik Purnima. It starts when birds begin their migration from the Himalayas down towards the plains of India.

Legend of Sama Chakeva
It is based on a legend recounted in the Puranas. The mythical story of this festival says that Sama, a daughter of Krishna is falsely accused of wrongdoing. Her father punishes her by turning her into a bird. However, the love and sacrifice of her brother Chakeva eventually allows her to regain human form.

Celebration of Sama Chakeva
The festival is celebrated with great grandeur and pomp. During the season of winter, the colourful birds from the Himalayas migrate towards the plains. The people of Bihar welcome them by celebrating this festival. The girls sing sama songs which are very famous in Mithila region. They also make colourful clay idols of various birds and decorate them in their own traditional ways. Several rituals are performed throughout the day. At the end of the festival, the idols are submerged in ponds. Then people wish a good and healthy return of these birds to their home-land and then eagerly wait for their arrival, the next year.

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