Tusu Puja: The sacred festival of love, sacrifice, and social unity in Assam

Dipak Kurmi

(The writer can be reached at dipakkurmiglpltd@gmail.com.)

Tusu Puja is a deeply cherished and culturally significant Hindu religious festival celebrated primarily in the tea-garden areas of Assam, a region known for its unique socio-cultural fabric. This vibrant festival is observed with great reverence by the vanavasi communities, who celebrate it in honour of Tusu Devi, the Goddess of agriculture, often regarded as an incarnation of Shakti, the cosmic female energy. The festival coincides with the traditional Magh Bihu, a harvest festival, and is a time for both spiritual worship and joyous social gatherings. Tusu Puja is a celebration of femininity, devotion, and community spirit that stands as a testimony to the resilience and cultural richness of the marginalised tea-garden workers.

A Sacred Tribute to Tusu Devi: Origins and Rituals

The name ‘Tusu’ itself is derived from the Bengali term ‘tush,’ which refers to the outer covering of paddy or rice bran. It is believed that the term may also trace its origins to the Sanskrit root usha or osha, which signifies early morning or dawn, symbolising a fresh start or the dawn of a new agricultural season. Tusu Puja begins on the first day of Poush, the winter month according to the Hindu lunar calendar, which corresponds to December-January in the Gregorian calendar. It follows the harvest of the Amon paddy crop, the winter crop that holds economic significance for the agricultural communities in Assam.

The celebrations of Tusu Puja unfold over the course of nearly a month, culminating on the last day of Poush—Paus Sankranti or Makar Sankranti. During this period, young, unmarried girls in the village make intricately designed murtis (idols) of Tusu Devi, which are revered and worshipped with offerings, songs, and dances. The image of Tusu Devi is traditionally depicted as a young, chaste virgin girl and a cosmic goddess, her figure often painted in the alpana style, a sacred art that uses a paste made from rice flour and water to create vibrant and colourful motifs.

The festival begins with Uruka, a community gathering where the girls bring out their murtis, singing devotional songs and performing dances in praise of the Goddess. This ritual continues every evening, and the community bonds through song and dance, weaving spiritual devotion into social interaction. For 29 days, the young women sing and dance before the deity, and on the 30th day, known as Jagoron or Awakening, they exchange garlands, fry eight varieties of pulses, and present offerings of rice to Tusu Devi, seeking her blessings for a prosperous and loving future.

Tusu Puja as a Celebration of Womanhood

At its core, Tusu Puja is a festival that underscores the power and purity of womanhood. Tusu Devi is revered not just as a goddess but as a companion, confidante, and protector, similar to how Ma Durga or Ma Kali are worshipped. For the women of the vanavasi communities, the festival provides a unique space to express their devotion, share their aspirations, and strengthen their social ties. The unmarried girls, who traditionally seek blessings for a loving husband, come together to perform songs and dances that celebrate their womanhood. The dance forms, including the graceful Jhumur, are performed in front of the deity with the hope of receiving divine favour.

The communal aspect of the festival is equally important. Beyond religious worship, Tusu Puja strengthens social bonds within the village. Boys and girls engage in playful singing contests, with the boys teasing the girls and the girls responding with wit and humor. This spirited exchange of songs and dances not only fosters a sense of camaraderie but also acts as a platform for youth to socialize and develop relationships within their communities. It is a joyous, lively celebration where dance and music are as integral to the experience as the spiritual offerings made to the Goddess.

The Story of Tusu: A Tragic Yet Beautiful Legend

The legend associated with Tusu Puja adds a profound layer of meaning to the festival. According to the popular narrative, Tusu was the beautiful daughter of the Kurmi king of present-day Gujarat. The Sultan of Delhi, intent on expanding his empire, sought to annex the kingdom of the Kurmi king through religious conversion. Faced with the Sultan’s impending attack, the king fled, seeking refuge in Punjab, where Tusu fell in love with Sitaram, the son of Birbal, a prominent courtier in the Punjabi kingdom.

However, the Sultan’s forces pursued the king, and Tusu’s love story faced tragic twists. After fleeing to Assam, the couple found refuge in the dense jungles of the Brahmaputra Valley, where they were helped by the local vanavasi communities. Unfortunately, Tusu’s husband died soon after their marriage, and when news of the Sultan’s pursuit reached her, a heartbroken Tusu chose to immolate herself on her husband’s funeral pyre, an act that transformed her into a living Shakti, embodying strength, sacrifice, and divine energy.

The vanavasi communities of Assam, particularly the Kurmi, Chawtal, and Bhumij people, adopted Tusu as their deity, venerating her as a symbol of purity, love, and sacrifice. Over time, she came to be compared with other powerful female deities like Ma Kali and Ma Durga, and her story became an integral part of the vanavasi cultural heritage. Her worship reflects the values of devotion, resilience, and self-sacrifice, virtues that resonate deeply with the agrarian and labour-intensive lifestyle of the tea-garden communities.

The Social and Cultural Significance of Tusu Puja

For the tea-garden workers of Assam, Tusu Puja is more than a religious event; it is a reflection of their collective identity, their history, and their connection to the land. The vanavasi communities, who have lived and worked in Assam for over a century and a half, celebrate Tusu Puja as an expression of their unique cultural heritage. This festival is also part of a larger cultural movement that highlights the contributions of these marginalised communities to the socio-economic fabric of Assam.

The vanavasi people, who originally migrated from various parts of India, such as Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Jharkhand, during the British colonial era, brought with them their own traditions, songs, dances, and deities. Over time, they integrated these customs with Assamese culture, enriching the state’s overall cultural landscape. Today, alongside Tusu Puja, they celebrate a range of festivals like Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Holi, and Magh Bihu, each of which reflects their deep connection to both their indigenous roots and Assamese identity.

While Tusu Puja remains a deeply spiritual event, its significance also extends to the wider socio-political context. The festival has gained recognition as a regional holiday in Assam, acknowledging the contributions of the tea-garden workers to the state’s socio-economic development. The tea garden communities continue to uphold their traditional practices, such as preparing offerings, organizing public lunches, and conducting cultural events like drawing and dance competitions. Despite the challenges posed by commercialisation and changing times, Tusu Puja remains a vital cultural cornerstone for the vanavasi people.

Modern-Day Celebrations and Challenges

In recent years, however, the traditional celebrations of Tusu Puja have undergone some changes. The festival, once celebrated over an entire month, is now typically observed for only two days—the day before and the day of Paus Sankranti. The rise of commercialisation has also led to a shift in focus, with competitions and performances gaining more prominence than the original religious rituals. This transformation has led to an increasing urban influence, with Bollywood songs and modern dance numbers replacing the traditional Tusu Geets (songs) in some areas.

 Nevertheless, the essence of Tusu Puja, as a celebration of community, love, sacrifice, and spirituality, continues to endure. It remains an occasion where the vanavasi people come together, reinforcing their bonds and renewing their sense of identity. The Tusu Devi, once a symbol of purity and sacrifice, continues to inspire devotion and love among the people of Assam, reminding them of the strength found in love, community, and tradition. Tusu Puja is not just a festival; it is a vibrant celebration of Assam’s cultural diversity and the enduring spirit of its people. Through its blend of myth, devotion, and communal harmony, it stands as a powerful reminder of the region’s rich traditions and the resilience of the tea-garden communities.