Tolo Puja, also known as Kharra Puja, is the harvest festival of the Kharia Tribe. The festival is initiated by Kalo at the community level and later pursued by the villagers on individual level. The Kalo is usually appointed to execute the puja. Observed in the month of Jiriblerang i.e. during November and December, the sacred ritual is performed by the Kharias in the thrashing ground of the Kalo. When the ritual is observed at the family level performance, it is either performed by the Kalo or by the head of the family or by anyone skilled at it.
Performance of Tolo Puja
The Tolo Puja, exhibiting the tradition and customs associated with the Kharia harvesting, encompasses adherence to all the rituals carried out with great precision. A typical form of a five petalled flower with three circles in the middle is installed on the western side of the paddy stacks in the thrashing ground. Powdered charcoal is used for drawing the innermost circle. The following circle is drawn with red powder of earth while the outer most circle is adorned with rice flour. A black fowl is established at the centre of the figure that might be also substituted by an egg, usually by an economically deprived owner. However, a person economically sound may even sacrifice five chickens of varying colours to the khunt pat. Out of the five chickens, one is sacrificed in the name of Gumi, considered as wife of khunt pat. When an egg is used instead of fowl, the owner is required to stand before the figure over which rice heaps have been kept. A small quantity of Arwa rice in placed on a leaf cup and is stirred with a broken egg. The owner with his folded hands then prays to Ponomosor to safeguard them against Najrahi (evil eye), Dhithahi (malice), Bhakha-bhima Lebu Kiya (evil tongue), Kodobh orndi (prickly weeds) and give them prosperity and good luck.
An owner when offers fowl, the sacrifice is made over the figure. Later blood is sprinkled over it. After the ceremony is over, the materials used are first placed on the diagram then they are accumulated in a basket and thrown way at a road crossing. The paddy is then thrashed and cleansed by winnowing fan, firstly by the performer of the sacrifice followed by others. The Kalo is then offered a basket of paddy by the family head for making rice beer, which is later thrashed on the ground before being consumed. Three fowls are also sacrificed at the thrashings floor to appease the ancestral spirits. Before this sacrifice, Murun or Mahua flower together with Sal flower and arwa rice is offered in the name of ancestral spirits.
The Tolo Puja is thus, performed by the Kharia Tribe with great devotion and dedication to protect and preserve the crop from evil eye or any curses.