Assam’s tea communities proudly follow the tradition of “Twelve Pujas in Twelve Months“, celebrating some form of worship or festival every month throughout the year. These celebrations strengthen community bonds, preserve ancestral traditions, and maintain their cultural identity within tea garden life throughout the year.
| Date | Event | Event Description |
|---|---|---|
| January 15, 2025 | Tusu Puja (Harvest Festival) | Also called Poush Parbon, this is the most important women-dominated festival celebrating Goddess Tusu for agricultural prosperity. Features month-long celebrations with traditional songs, community gatherings, and cultural performances |
| March 13, 2025 (Thursday evening) | Fakua or Holika Dahan (Fakua Burning) | The tea communities’ version of Holi, celebrated with distinctive cultural elements blended with Assamese Vaishnava traditions. The tea community has been celebrating this festival since ancient times, combining it with the local Fakuwa or Daul festival traditions. |
| March 14, 2025 (Friday) | Rangwali Holi (Color Play) | — |
| April 18 & 21, 2025 (Good Friday & Easter Monday) | Easter Celebrations | — |
| May 2025 (dates vary by location) | Sarhul Festival | Celebrated by Munda, Oraon, and Ho groups within tea communities. This tribal New Year celebration honors trees and nature, marking agricultural activities start |
| May-June 2025 (summer months) | Suryahi Puja | Worship of the sun god for good weather and agricultural prosperity, particularly significant for tea garden workers. |
| July 29, 2025 | Manasa Puja | Worship of Goddess Manasa (snake goddess) during the rainy season for protection against snakebites and fertility. Includes singing Manasa Gita with musical instruments. |
| August 15, 2025 (Bhado Ekadashi) | Karam Puja | The most significant agricultural festival for tea communities, honoring the Karam deity for good harvests and family prosperity. Features all-night Jhumur dance performances and community celebrations. |
| September 28 – October 2, 2025 (Main celebration) | Durga Puja | Tea communities actively participate in this major Hindu festival, often receiving annual bonuses from tea estates for celebrations |
| October 20, 2025 | Diwali Celebrations with Jali Dance | Tea communities celebrate Diwali uniquely by performing Jali dance, where male artists visit houses singing and dancing with rhythmic beats, praying for better harvest and community prosperity. |
| October 21, 2025 | Bandna Parab | Seven-day festival starting Kartik Amavasya. Cattle worship festival honoring domestic animals and agricultural tools. Features traditional songs and lighting of earthen lamps called “Injor Pinjor” |
| November 1 & 20, 2025 | Lakshmi Puja | Female-dominated festival worshipping Goddess Lakshmi for wealth and prosperity. Thursday is considered sacred as “Lakshmi Bar” |
| December 25, 2025 | Christmas Celebrations | Christian tea workers (significant population) celebrate with distinctive religious festivities alongside embracing certain non-religious festivals |
Resource Notes:
- Dates may vary slightly between different tea gardens and tribal communities
- Some festivals follow lunar calendar calculations and may shift by 1-2 days
- Local garden committees often announce specific celebration dates for their communities
Duration Notes:
- Tusu Puja: Month-long celebration leading up to January 15
- Karam Puja: All-night celebration with Jhumur dance performances
- Bandna Parab: Seven-day festival starting October 21
- Durga Puja: Five-day celebration period
Special Cultural Elements:
- Fakua/Falgu: Unique tea community version of Holi with “Fagu Kata” ritual involving Ojha (priest) and Simalu tree
- Jali Dance: Distinctive tea community tradition during Diwali where male artists visit houses with rhythmic performances