Karam Festival 2026
We, Indians, are well known for our rich culture, heritage, and traditions. Every region of India has its own unique heritage, which we observe and celebrate with respect, love and piety. The Karam festival is one such celebration. It is primarily celebrated by people from Northern and Eastern India—specifically those belonging to Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the most important festivals for tribal communities such as the Oraon, Kharia, Munda, Baiga, Khorta, Ho, and Majhwar, among others.
The Karam Festival is a traditional harvest and nature-worship festival celebrated by these indigenous communities. This ancient agricultural festival is dedicated to Karam Devta, the deity of power, youth, and fate, and Karam Rani, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. The festival marks the beginning of the harvest season and includes prayers for a rich, bountiful yield.
As tribals from these regions working in and around the beautiful city of Nashik, Maharashtra, we could not forget the annual Karam festival. On Sunday, October 11, 2026, we gathered at Holy Cross Church, Nashik, to celebrate the occasion. Organized by Fr Neville Fernandes CSsR and his team, the event brought together approximately 55 participants, including priests, Religious Sisters, aspirants, lay people, and family members. Bishop Barthol Barretto, Bishop, Nashik Diocese along with other priests celebrated the Holy Eucharist for us. At 4:00 p.m. all the people were warmly welcomed by Fr Neville, with high tea and snacks.
After tea, we celebrated the Holy Eucharist featuring Matthew 22:1–14, a Gospel parable about invited guests who made excuses and rejected a king's wedding feast. In his sermon, Bishop Barthol Barretto noted that much like the guests in the parable we often offer excuses—whether valid or invalid, knowingly or unknowingly—and miss out on God's finest gifts. Additionally, the Bishop also spoke about the richness of the Karam festival and its unique role in shaping and guiding the lives of tribal communities. He prayed for their well-being and unity.
After the Holy Eucharist, we gathered in the basement for the main program. Fr Neville welcomed us once again and led the session. Since many of us were meeting for the first time, we were initially strangers to one another. Fr Neville suggested that we get to know each other by sharing our names, hometowns, likes, dislikes, favorite things, and things that we really hate. We were also asked reflection questions, such as: “Did you truly feel accepted when speaking with another person or group?” This was an important question, as many of us often feel lost in a crowd or adrift in a sea of people. However, the participants responded positively, sharing that they felt accepted, valued, and needed within the group. It was a deeply moving and enriching experience that helped us feel like strangers no longer.
Following the discussion, everyone danced and celebrated the Karam festival with great joy. Before sharing the meal, we offered prayers of gratitude to the Lord for a wonderful day and safe travels. We expressed our heartfelt thanks to Bishop Barthol Barretto for his gracious presence, Fr Neville and his team for organizing the event, and the volunteers who prepared the food.
The Karam celebration at Holy Cross Church proved that no matter how far work or life takes us from our roots, our traditions will always draw us back together. We express our deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed to making this event a heartfelt success. May the spirit of unity, faith, and joy experienced on this day continue to guide us until we gather to celebrate once again next year.
Fr Jugal K. Lakra OFM
