Fighting odds, this Hazaribag village still makes Chhath essentials the traditional way

Hazaribag: While Jharkhand is gearing up for Diwali, a small village in Tatijharia block of the district is burning the midnight oil to ready their products before Chhath with hopes of good business.

For dozens of families from the living in Murumatu village, their craft of making baskets and soops from bamboo is a mode of survival. Their products are high in demand as they are used by the devotees to offer arghya during the four-day festival.


For generations, Turi community has depended on for survival. In Murumatu alone, around 25 households with over 200 members are engaged in crafting these essential items.

The villagers, including Jirwa Devi, Sohwa Devi, Tara Devi, Rekha Devi and Raju Turi said their ancestors passed down this skill as a heritage. “Bamboo is our identity and our livelihood,” said Surendra Turi, adding that the income is meagre but demand during Chhath keeps the tradition alive.

The artisans buy good-quality bamboo from nearby villages at around Rs 150 per piece. The finished items are sold in local markets including soop for Rs 200 and daura (basket) for Rs 500. “We have no other employment opportunities, so we rely entirely on bamboo work," said Tara.

“Chhath is the only time when our hands stay busy and hearts hopeful,” says Bhagia Devi. She said that each member makes at least 500 soops and dauras each to earn respectable amounts during Chhath. “Though we supply these items round the year, but Chhath is special for us seeing its religious importance vis-a-vias the bulk demand we get this time,” she added.