The land of Buddhism and Jainism is rich in culture and tradition. People in Bihar celebrate a whole range of festivals. These festivals are inherently linked with the lifestyle and culture of people of Bihar. People in Bihar celebrate Holi, Saraswati Puja, Durga Puja or Dussehra, Deepwali and Bhaiya Dooj. Other than these festivals which are common among Hindus all across India, ‘Chhath’ is specifically celebrated in Bihar.
Chhath festival is dedicated to Sun God and begins on the fourth day of the month of Kartik Shukhla Paksha (second fortnight of Kartik). This corresponds to late October to mid November depending on the year. It is one of the holiest festivals for Biharis and extends to four days. The festival is celebrated with great pomp and devotion among Bihari people and it does not matter where do they live on the occasion but they would celebrate it.
Holi festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Bihar. Holi songs, locally called Phagua, are full of rhythms and melodious. Biraha, quite popular among local people, has great history behind it.
Other than Biraha, Bihar has a very old tradition of beautiful folk songs sung during important family occasions such as marriage, birth ceremonies. They are sung mainly in-group settings without the help of too many musical instruments though dholak and occasionally tabla and harmonium are used. Many of Hindi film songs have been heavily inspired from these Bhojpuri folk songs.
Bihar has a rich heritage of handicrafts like hand-painted wall hangings, wooden stools, miniatures in paper and leaves, stone pottery, bamboo, leather goods and appliqué work. Madhubani Paintings are world famous. These works of art often adorn city homes and are also exported. A strict monopoly of women of Mithila, Madhubani artists work with natural colors on paper and cloth, making works that narrate mythological and religious events.
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