Janthar ( Festival Of The First Fruits )

The Santals like other tribals regard the first fruits of the harvest as sacred and have rituals associated with 'offering' the first fruit of the harvest to the 'bongas'. It is only after this ceremonial offerings have been made to the spirits that the Santals eat of the first fruits.

Traditionally Santals have three festivals connected with Janthar at slightly different period ) the month of Bhador (August - September) offering the first millet (iri-gundli nawai) of the harvest to the bongas ).

Janthar or Baihar horo-nawai in the month of Aghar (Nov - Dec) offering the first low-land paddy to the bongas ).

Magh sim this is celebrated in the month of Magh (January - February) just before the thatching stasis (Sauri) ripens. During this, the bongas are involved to multiply the sauri crops.