Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF). Culture Santhali, Ho, Munda, Bhumij, Kudmali, Bengali, Odia and Hindi are the major languages spoken here. The most prominent festivals of the district are Durga Puja, Makar Sankranti, Sohrai, Mage Porob, Baa Porob, Hermuutu, Heroh Porob, Karam Porob, Jomnama Porob, Jomsuim and Kali Puja. While other festivals such as Sarhul, Karma, Tusu, Java, Hall Punhya, Bhagta Parab, Ropini, Bandna and Jani-Shikaar are also celebrated with pomp and joy. One tourist attraction is Chitreshwar temple situated in Chitreshwar village in Baharagora Block 12 km from Baharagora. The temple is said to be one of the largest natural Shiva linga. Many devotees of Shiva come daily. Chitreshwar temple is believed to have the largest Shiva linga after Lingaraja Shiva linga in Bhubneshwar. It has another temple called Bhuteshwar which is in Baharagora Block. Ghatsila a famous tourist spot is also situated in the district which was once inhabited by renowned Bengali novelist Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay. Rankini Temple located near the mining town of Jadugora and Ghatshila are also worth mentioning. Goddess Rankini is held in high esteem and worshiped by the tribal and non tribal people inhabiting the district. Demographics According to the 2011 census East Singhbhum district has a population of 2,293,919, roughly equal to the nation of Latvia or the US state of New Mexico. This gives it a ranking of 199th in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of . Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 15.53%. Purbi Singhbhum has a sex ratio of 949 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 76.13%. Scheduled Castes and Schedule Tribes made up 4.9% and 28.5% of the population respectively. Hindus made up 67.58% of the population, while Muslims were 8.89%, Sikhs 1.68% and Christians 1.32%. Those belonging to other religions were 20.29% of the population. At the time of the 2011 Census of India, 34.42% of the population in the district spoke Bengali, 16.83% Hindi, 15.92% Santali, 7.28% Urdu, 5.65% Bhojpuri, 5.27% Odia, 2.76% Ho, 2.73% Mundari, 1.86% Punjabi, 1.51% Magahi and 1.28% Maithili as their first language. References External links East Singhbhum district administration website Districts of Jharkhand 1990 establishments in Bihar