Anthropocene and Ritual Ecology in the Mallah (Fisher) Community in the Mithila Region, Bihar: Evolving Religious and Cultural Practices Around Kamala River

In Indian culture, the veneration of rivers is deeply ingrained, often expressed through various religious and cultural beliefs and rituals. This ethnographic study portrays the profound respect and coexistence demonstrated by the Mallah Community, which is associated with the water-centric occupations in the Sarisab-Pahi village of the Madhubani district within the Mithila region of Bihar. The Kamala River, flowing through the Mithila region, garners the same reverence and gratitude as the Ganges River. In the Mallah, the Kamala River holds a profound significance, symbolizing the essence of a nurturing mother. During the advent of the monsoon season in the Mithilanchal region, specifically with the first rains in the season of Sawan (monsoon), the Mallahs partake in worshipping Kamala Maa (river) at designated locations. The initiation of Kamala Puja by the Mallah people aligns with the guidance of the community panchayat, with the chosen time for its observance usually falling between the months of Ashadha (June-July) and Ashwin (September-October). In the worshipping of Kamala Puja, the worship extends beyond the Kamala River to include the veneration of folk deity Jai Singh, Amar Singg and Koyla Veer Baba. The Mallah community only rides boats in the Kamala River after worshipping Kamala River. The sacred duty of performing the puja falls upon the 'Bhagat,' the Mallah community priest who also guides the local populace. During the puja, the Bhagat enters a trance-like state, and people seek his blessings to fulfil their desires. The puja is conducted at a revered site known as 'Gahbar' in the local dialect. A clay-mounted structure symbolizing Kamala holds a significant place within this cave. The Kamala Puja ceremony displays the cultural and spiritual practices of the Mallah, emphasizing their reverence for nature and folk deities, and the connection between ecological and religious traditions within the community.