This article is about the culture of natives of the Indian state of Jharkhand. The state of Jharkhand is located in the eastern part of the country and is known for its vivid culture,distinct paintings, traditions and festivals. Languages Hindi is official language of Jharkhand. There are many regional and tribal languages in Jharkhand. The regional languages that belong to the Indo-Aryan branch; in Jharkhand, they are Khortha, Nagpuri, and Kudmali spoken by the Sadan, the Indo-Aryan ethnic groups of Chotanagpur. Other Indo-Aryan languages include Bhojpuri, Magahi, Maithili, Bengali, and Odia. The languages that belong to the Austroasiatic branch are Mundari, Santali, Bhumij and Ho. The languages that belong to the Dravidian language family are Kurukh and Malto. Cuisine The staple foods in Jharkhand are rice, dal, vegetables, and tubers. Some dishes include Chilka Roti, Malpua, Dhooska, Arsa roti, and Pitha. Rugra (a type of mushroom) and bamboo shoots are also used as vegetables. The leaves of the Munga tree (Moringa oleifera) and the Koinar tree (Bauhinia variegata) are used as leafy vegetables or Saag. Local alcoholic drinks are Handia made from rice and Mahua daru made from flowers of the Mahua tree. Festivals Karam Karam is a major native harvest festival of Jharkhand. It is celebrated on the 11th day of a full moon of the month of Bhado by the Sadan (Khortha, Nagpuri, Kurmali-speaking ethnic group) and the tribal (Munda, Bhumij, and Oraon) people of Jharkhand. During this festival, people bring branches of the Karam tree to the village and then place them on the ground. The branches are washed with milk and handia, and decorated with garlands, curd, rice, flowers and grains. The village priest "Pahan" offer sacrifice of Karam devta for good harvest. Jitia During the festival of Jitia, mothers fast for the well being of their children. It is celebrated from the seventh to the ninth lunar day of Krishna-Paksha, in the month of Ashwin. Nawakhani Nawakhani is an important festival that occurs in Jharkhand. During this festival, grains are eaten following the harvest. Sohrai/Bandna Sohrai is a cattle festival of Jharkhand's. It is celebrated during the Amavasya of the month of Kartik. It coincides with the Diwali festival. People fast throughout the day, and bathe their cattle. In the evening, sacrifices are offered to the cattle deity. Holi Phaguwa, or Holi, is the spring festival which falls in the month of Phalgun. In spring,