religion, tribe, settlement, landform and...
TRANSCRIPT
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Chapter 5
RELIGION, TRIBE, SETTLEMENT, LANDFORM
AND SACRED GROVES IN WEST BENGAL
5.1. Religions and Sacred Groves
5.2. Tribes and Sacred Groves
5.3. Landforms and Sacred Groves
5.4. Settlements and Sacred Groves
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5. 1. RELIGIONS AND SACRED GROVES
HINDUISM:
Hinduism, the most widely practiced religion in West Bengal, covers numerous religious wings,
varying from monotheists to polytheists, at various degrees. The belief of sacredness is hidden
among Vedas and Upanishads [where the symbol OM (Lokeswarananda, ed., 2004, p.715) is
used to identify the Hinduism]. The major religious sects in Hindus are Vaishnav, Sahajiya,
Shaktas and Saivas, each with its own line of thought and social practice. Different castes of
Hindu religion maintain the diversity of Sacred Groves worshipping. They have distinct identity
and with time-space and they are nourishing their traditional culture on the basis of their belief.
Among number of castes of West Bengal the worshipping of Sacred Groves are prevalent till
now. There are different castes like: Bauri, Barui, Bagdi, Mahishya, Mahato, Majhi etc. who
nourish the nature oriented Sacred Groves culture in their daily life. Roy Burman (1996, p.37-46)
reports the existence of such groves for different castes. With the maintenance of the age-old
tradition, they conserve different sacred trees and the eco-nano-cultures like: tree worshipping,
jungle worshipping, sacrificial system, fair and all these
are carried with the concept of Sacred Groves. Bagdi
caste maintains the perception of Sacred Groves in their
culture through the worshipping of sacred tree like: Bot
(Ficus benghalensis), Dead Palm (Phoenix sylvestris),
Ashwattha (Ficus religiosa), Sheora (Streblus asper) etc.
In Durgapur (Barddhaman district), the Bagdi caste worships a Bot (Ficus benghalensis) tree
along with the Devi Kali and Shiva. In Satkahania village of Barddhaman district people worship
the Daityasur (the folk-God) Sacred Grove in the form of jungle and with the maintenance of this
Plate 64
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polyphony of sacred realm Neem (Azadirachta indica) and Bael (Aegle marmelos) are conserved
for more than 100 years (plate 64). Local dwellers believe the God Daityasur dwells within of
this Sacred Groves and they offerings of the mannat/vow items like mud horses of different sizes
(plate 64).
Among Barui caste the culture of Sacred Grove is also
present. More than 200 aged Bot tree is being worshipped
by Barui caste in Satkahania village of Kaksha
(Barddhaman district) and people cultivate their Dali puja
under this sacred tree. But, in recent glars, due to impact
of modernization the place of Dali puja has been moved to the other side within the concrete
temple but people still now conserve the place of Dali puja (plate 65) under sacred Bot (Ficus
benghalensis) tree and they encircle the area of tree with
concrete frame. In Lagalpukur of Onda (Bankura district),
Bauri caste worships the sacred Tetul tree with mud horses
and the same tradition is found in Khamarberia of Bankura
district. They are worshipping the Baram Thaan under the
group of Bamboos (Bambusa arundihacea) with the sacrificial
(life) culture. People construct three knobs in front of
Bamboo (Bambusa arundihacea) trees and two
opposite soil-knobs is placed for Baram Thaan and the
middle knob is for sacrificing of animals (plate 66).
This is the unique folk-culture of Scared Grove of
Bauri caste of Bankura district. In Swarupnarayan
Plate 67
Plate 66
Plate 65
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Nagar of Lalgarh (West Medinipur district), Mahato caste firmly worships a Sacred Grove (plate
67) where Bot (Ficus benghalensis), Neem (Azadirachta indica), and Kuchla (Abrus
precatorious), etc. are being preserved in the form of sacred jungle. This area is the most interior
of Sal (Shorea robusta) jungle and they mainly maintain their sacrificial system within the
Sacred Grove. Every week more than 20 different animals are sacrificed here and through this
example we can realize the importance of Sacred Grove worshipping is people’s perception.
Among Majhi castes Sal (Shorea robusta) worshiping is the traditional rituals and in this way
they maintain their Sacred Grove tradition at different corners of West Bengal. In Belsula
village of Bishnupur (Bankura district), the Majhi caste
maintains their Sacred Grove culture through the
worshipping of the clump of Sal trees (plate 68) and they
identify these Sacred Groves in name of Kurdatala. In the
interior of the sacred Sal grove people conserve the mud
horses and elephants as the example of vows which is completely untouched on the map of
Belsula village. In West Bengal, the Dharmathakur is worshipped in several Sacred Groves. This
festival is mainly held during the time of 15th
April to 15th
May. Dharmathakur is a Hindu God,
worshipped by villagers in the traditional Rarh region of West Bengal as one of their special
village-Gods. He is represented by a shapeless stone daubed with vermilion and is normally
placed under a tree or in the open air and sometimes enshrined in a temple also. Dharmathakur is
worshipped mainly by Bauri, Bagdi, Hari, and Dom caste of people, etc. Among Hindu religion,
Sitala worshipping is found in different Sacred Groves (for example; Dharmatal in Kapastiguri
of Birbhum district) and local people believe that Devi Sitala is the Goddess fertility and can
bless with children, and her blessing can cure children suffering from fatal diseases.
Plate 68
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Name of
the
Sacred
Groves
Location Name of the
Sacred
Groves
Location Name of the
Sacred Groves
Location
Sani Gari Dhora,
Darjiling district
Madnatala Maguria village, Lalgarh,
West Medinipur district
Chandi Gopal Chak
village, Borbati,
East Medinipur
district
Veku
Pagla
Babar
Ashram
Hashimara, in the
Way of Jaigao,
Jalpaiguri district
Samadhi
Hindu
Dahijuri, West Medinipur
district
Loknathtala Bahadur Tala,
Salboni, West
Medinipur
district
Shmashan
Kali,
Hanuman
Side of Torsa River,
Hashimara,
Jalpaiguri district
Dhole
Kalimaro
Rajnagar village, Daspur,
West Medinipur district
Buri Matala Lalgarh, West
Medinipur
district
Shivatala Palashbari,
Alipurduar,
Jalpaiguri district
Sitala Puja Saudkhali village,
Ramnagar 1, East
Medinipur district
Narayani Mar
mandir
Egra 2, East
Medinipur
district
Manasa Subhashpally,
Alipurduar,
Jalpaiguri district
Sitla, Sani Bamoria village,
Chandipur, East
Medinipur district
Sri Sri
Richatareswari
Matar mandir
Ahmedpur
village,
Ramnagar 2,
East Medinipur
district
Chotomah
akaldham
Jayanti, Jalpaiguri
district
Bhabatarini
Shmashan
Pith
Pashkura, East Medinipur
district
Kali mandir,
Cremation
Ground
Naranpur
village ,
Tarokeswar,
Haora district
Devi
Choudhur
ani
Sikarpur, 2 Km. from
BodaGanj
Rajganj, Jalpaiguri
district
Manasa Ramkali, Gour, Malda Panchanan Belmuri,
Dhoniakhali,
Haora district
Shivatala FCI Godaon,
Alipurduar,
Jalpaiguri
Kalitala Kulgochagram,
Kaligang, Murshidabad
district
Ateswar Thakur Damodor pur,
Karanchali,
Kulpi,
North 24
Parganas
district
Baeltala Alipurduar Court,
Jalpaiguri district
Kalitala Kundal Andi village,
Barua Thana,
Murshidabad district
Pokhabaganrakh
akalitala
Labpur,
Birbhum
district
Shivatala Santalabari, Buxa,
Jalpaiguri district
Fulsahari
darja, Majar
Sharif, Lal
chand saha
Sharif
Sekhdighi, Sagardihi,
Murshidabad district
Bilwa-Mangal
Sohombaba’r
Ashram
Bilwa Gram
Near Joydeb,
Illam Bazar,
Birbhum
district
Shiva Jayanti More,
Jalpaiguri district
Rakshya
Kali
Bogrul Gram, Dubrajor
Thana, P.O. Kukhutia,
Dubrajpur, Birbhum
district
Manasa Koma village,
Puradarpur,
Birbhum
district
Shiva Bari Alipurduar Junction,
Chechamata,
Jalpaiguri district
Sacred Hot
Spring Ghat,
Bokreswar, Hot Spring
Ghat, Bakreswar temple,
Bokreswar, Birbhum
district
Dharmaraj Koma village,
Puradarpur,
Birbhum
district
Ketara
mandir
Mati Mari,
Dinhata, Coachbihar
Tara Ma
mandir
Side of Brahmani Bridge,
Nalhati, Birbhum district
Fulloratala Labpur,
Birbhum
Table 18: Hindu religion based Sacred Groves in West Bengal (based on surveyed data).
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district district
Shiva,
Kali
Per House Side,
Raiganj, Uttar
Dinajpur district
Shivachandi
tala
Kharboni, Illambazar,
Birbhum district
Shiva mandir MamaBhagne
hill, Khoirasol,
Birbhum
district
Kali,
Shiva
Laskarpur,
Trimohini, Dakshin
Dinajpur district
Sacred Hot
Spring Ghat,
One Ghat of
51 Ghat
Bokreswar, Hot Spring
Ghat, Bakreswar temple,
Dubrajpur, Birbhum
district
Kali, Shiva Umuapara,
Saithia,
Birbhum
district
Kali Paranpur
Balurghat, Dakshin
Dinajpur district
Sat Ma puja Rajnagar
Ghatdurlavpur, Rajnagar,
Birbhum district
Dharampur Barutia,
Koteswar,
Birbhum
district
Bagratala
Dhallah, Illambazar,
Birbhum district
Ramdas
Baba mandir
Bazarpukur, P.O. Nogri,
Suri Thana, Siuri1,
Birbhum district Khapakalitala
Indus, Labpur,
Birbhum
district
Bagratala
Dhallah, Illambazar,
Birbhum district
Shiva Koridhya, Hattala, Siuri,
Birbhum district
Dharamtala
Kapastiguri,
Labpur,
Birbhum
district
Sannasital
a
Ruppur, Birbhum
district
Shmashan
Mata
Fulera, Siuri Road, Siuri
2, Birbhum district
Sitola-
Brahmachari-
Manasatala
G.S.Coloni,
Illambazar,
Birbhum
district
Kankalital
a
Kankalitala, Bolpur,
Birbhum district
Gutulikalital
a
Monoharpur, Nanur,
Birbhum district
Panchya Nath Jiara village,
Bhatar Thana,
Barddhaman
district
Kankalital
acrematio
n Ground
Kankalitala, Bolpur,
Birbhum district Kalitala
Monoharpur, Nanur,
Birbhum
Manasa Deypara
village,
Bhatar Thana,
Barddhaman
district
Shivatalas
hivdur
Sureteswar, Bolpur,
Birbhum district
Dalipuja Satkahania, Kaksha,
Barddhaman district
Shmashan Kali Panagarh,
Barddhaman
district
Kalishah
mandir
Santiniketan, Bolpur,
Birbhum district
Vairab Baba
Kali mandir
Bankathi, Barddhaman
district
Kali Bari
Ashram
Durgapur 3,
Barddhaman
district
Chatimtala
Santiniketan, Bolpur,
Birbhum district
Daityashur Bankathi, Barddhaman
district
Hanuman Chorbarpur,
Kaliachok,
Malda district
Dakshinak
alitala
Bora, Nanur,
Birbhum district
Samdali Nimtiguri, Barddhaman
district
Hanuman Gopal Math,
Sujra Plot,
Durgapur 12,
Barddhaman
district
Ekmentala
Beloma, Illambazar,
Birbhum district
Shyama
mandir
Garjangal, Barddhaman
district
Gosai Ashram Andal Thana,
Bagajora,
Barddhaman
district
Bramachar
ibababurot
ala
Halsidanga,
Illambazar, Birbhum
district
Sri
Chanditala
Garjangal, Barddhaman
district
Baba Gosai
Ashram
Assansol,
Barddhaman
district
Bishaharit Cheelah, Illam Raresher Gopalpur, Barddhaman Kali Nakrajuria,
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ala Bazar, Birbhum
district
Shiva
mandir
Salarpur,
Barddhaman
district
Maichamp
atbibidang
a
Sukhbazar,
Illambazar,
Birbhum district
Jungle Gopalpur, Barddhaman
district
Amarnath Shiva
mandir
Bhandar Pahar,
Kalnyaswari
Thana,
Barddhaman
district
Dharmaraj
tala
Dhallah, Illambazar,
Birbhum district
Chandi
mandir
Muchipara, Durgapur,
Barddhaman district
Masansing
Thakur
Haripur Bazar,
Pandabeswar,
Barddhaman
district
Shmashan
martala
(Burial
place)
Chandipur, Nanur,
Birbhum district
Nagraichand
i
P.O. Bujrukha Dighi,
Place Nagraichandi,
Khero Pota Bazar,
Barddhaman district
Ratha Gobindo
Seba Ashram
Along Ajay
River,
Pandabeswar,
Barddhaman
district
Naktitala Baghmundi, Puruliya
district
Manasa School Market, Gantar
Memari, Barddhaman
district
Kali Harisabha Para,
Katoa,
Barddhaman
district
Ram
mandir
Ayodhya, Under
Baghmundi Block,
Puruliya district
Manasa Jikrapur, Sat Gachia
Memari, Barddhaman
district
Buro Raj Malai
Kusum Gram,
Mantheswar,
Barddhaman
district
Manasa Balarampur, Puruliya
district
Dharmarajta
la
Gourbera, Barjora,
Bankura district
Kali Saluni Gram,
Bankura district
Shmashan
Kali And
Hanuman
Jorbandh, Manbazar,
Puruliya district
Madnatala Bamundigha, Bankura
district
Basoli mandir Aradanga,
Saltora,
Bankura district
Shiva
mandir
Budhpur, Manbazar,
Puruliya district
Gonamundi Bastavpur, Bankura
district
Mahatirthya
Biharinath
Dham
Aradanga,
Saltora,
Bankura district
Bagra Thaan
Jhalida, Sindri,
Puruliya district
Radha
Gobinda
mandir
Sahaganj, Hugli Road,
Magra, Hugli district
Shiva mandir Ituri Gram,
Saltora,
Bankura district
Radha
Krishna
Adra, Puriliya district Panchananta
la
G.T. Road (Katoa), Hugli
district
Chanditala
Baradia,
Matori,
Bankura district
Maguria
Baba Bara
Pahar
Hura, Puriliya district Dakat Kali
Tala
Purusattyampur, Molla
simla, Singur, Hugli
district
Birinchi Dham Nituria,
Bankura district
Shmashan
ghat Kali
Pratappur, Barjora,
Bankura district
Kolika
Ashram,
Kali Puja
Jongalpara, Chanditala,
Hugli district
Satmahania Satmahani
village,
Gopiballavpur,
West Medinipur
district
Rupdas
Baba
Beleswar,
Sonamukhi, Bankura
district
Uttam
Ashram
Dumurdoho, Balagarh,
Hugli district
Kalikatal Satmahani
village, West
Medinipur
district
Madnya
Thakur
Krishnyabati,
Bankura district
Sitala Gargaria village,
Sarenga, Bankura district
Kalitala Guptipara,
Balagarh, Hugli
district
Bhairavtal Balarampur village, Manasatala Bikrampur, Sarenga, Ma Jai Chandi Sashpur, Kalna,
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a Bankura district Bankura district Hugli district
Kalitala Jairampur, Bankura
district
Manasa and
Kali mandir
Rambikrampur
Shimlapal Block, Bankura
district
Ambika
Kalitala
Sashpur, Kalna,
Hugli district
Kalitala Bisnyapur Town,
Bankura district
Mangal
Chandi
Panua village,
Kotulpur, Bankura district
Sitala Bhupur village,
Pandua, Hugli
district
Kalitala Lagalpukur, Bankura
district
Ban
Borather
Tala/Shiva
Jagal Dip village,
Indus, Bankura district
Sani mandir Baiki village,
Rail Gate,
Hugli district
Ma
Kujurhani
Goguragram,
Bankura district
Manasatala Rajkumar, Jagal Dip
village, Indus, Bankura
district
Kali mandir Simlagarh,
Pandua, Hugli
district
Shmashan
ghat Kali,
Bhairav
Patakola, Bankura
district
Manasatala Indus, Bankura district Gar Mandaran Kamar Pugur,
Thana Goghat,
Hugli district
Kalitala Lalbazararea,
Bankura district
Manasatala Baikunthapur, Indus,
Bankura district
Manasatala Haris Chak,
Arambag ,
Hugli district
Kalitala Lalbazararea,
Bankura district
Manasatala Sakharipara, Indus,
Bankura district
Kalibari Fulpukur,
Nayasarai,
Balaragh, Hugli
district
Baeltala,
Sannyasi
Baba
Bankura Town Area
Bankura district
Manasatala Sakharipara, Indus,
Bankura district
Shiva Puja FulPukur,
Nayasarai,
Hugli district
Sastitala,
Rupchand
Baba,
Shivatala
Bankura Town Area,
Bankura district
Kali Puja Tikiya Para, Haora district Buri Martala Kaligang
Thana, Nadia
district
Sindri
Mountain,
Kali Puja
Bankura district Ananda
Math
Munshihat, Narendrapur
village,
Jagatballavpur, Haora
district
Kali mandir Hat Gacha,
Kamari,
Kaligang
Thana, Nadia
district Haritaki
tala
Chotodhagda village,
Garbeta Block, West
Medinipur district
Vairabitala Saspur, Indus, Bankura
district
Shiva, Ateswar
Puja
Namkhana,
North 24
Parganas
district
Jhar Boni Baodi Fatipursing
Garbeta Block, West
Medinipur district
Khetrapal Mohanpur village,
Chandarkona, West
Medinipur district
Bon Bibir Puja ,
Pir
Kakdwip, North
24 Parganas
district
Manasatal
a
Meledanga,
Gorbeta, West
Medinipur district
Shivatala,
Kali
Khirpai, Chandarkona,
West Medinipur district
Kali mandir Kalibaripara
Basirhat, North
24 Parganas
district
Kalitala Meledanga,
Dhatiga, West
Maedinipur district
Shmashanka
li
Ketharpul, Chandarkona,
West Medinipur district
Shiva Tetul Tala, Hali
Sahar, North 24
Parganas
district
Guptimani Jhargram, West
Medinipur district
Sri Sri Ma
Alai Chandi
South Chandarkona,
West Medinipur district
Sat Bhai
Kalitala
Puraton Bonga
Bonga, North
24 Parganas
Lohatikri Jhargram, West
Medinipur district
Borkhani
Baba
Sakpur, Gramkeshpur,
West Medinipur district
Banbibi Bakkhali, South
24 Parganas
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Source: Field survey, 2010-2012.
ISLAM:
In this research researcher found 43 Sacred Groves being conserved on Islamic religious and
cultural ground. No tree worshipping is found here but places of namaz are conserving the sacred
trees give a structuring Sacred Grove. Though it shares only 13.65 % of total Sacred Groves but
the character and the nature bears unique identity. Most of the Muslim Sacred Groves have a
distinct large size concrete boundary-wall (plate 69) to conserve the area completely untouched.
It reflects the conservative philosophy among the Muslim society. So Sacred Groves also bear
the identity of Muslim perception. The Sacred Groves are based on the Mazar or graveyard, the
place of citation of namaz/Idhgaha or mosque. Sometimes large trees like Bot based Mazar have
been found for example, Maitala of Nayasarai, Mazar of Baichi village of Hugli, or Mazar of
Beladai of Haringhata (Nadia district), Grave in Mahisar (Murshidabad district) etc.
district
UthShivat
ala
Salua Block, West
Medinipur district
Elahibaba Maharajpur, Elahiganj,
West Medinipur district
Saraswati
and Lakshmi
Narayana
Mokamberia,
Gadkhali
Basanti, South
24 Parganas
district
Shivatala Kako village,
Binpur, West
Medinipur district
Nayagram Jhargram, West
Medinipur district
Manasa Maylakhol
Basirhat, North
24 Parganas
district
Shmashan
Kali
Mahadabda and
village,
Bhatar Thana,
Barddhaman district
Chanditala Rani Bajar, Ghatal, West
Medinipur district
Sri Sri Sakhabai
Chandimata
mandir
Karanji village,
Ramnagar 1,
East Medinipur
district
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There are some sacred places with trees which completely resemble groves and the entrance
within this bourn is completely restricted and only at the time of worshipping people can enter
the grove. The examples are: Grave of Katagoria
(Nalhati of Birbhum district, plate 69), Idhgaha of
Panchanadapur of Malda district, Jaibaba Pirer Thaan
of Fulbari (Jalpaiguri district) and Pirtala of
Nityanandapur of Sonamukhi (Bankura district) etc.
Like Hindu Scared Groves, Muslim Sacred Groves have
also clump and sporadic trees that are being conserved with the area of sacred realm; for
example, Grave of Puraton Jhargram, where more than 500 Sal trees are being conserved on a
one hectare land (plate 70). Human induced
pollutions are completely restricted in this area
and people attach the modern hording,
instructing visitors avoid any kind of polluting
material’s usage at this Sacred Grove to
preserve the grove with completely piousness.
The mannat/vow concept is attached with Muslim Sacred Grove such as in Pirbabar Thaan of
Egra block (East Medinipur district); where people
offer different sizes white horses (mud made) to
Pirbaba.
In Some Muslim Sacred Groves, photography is
completely prohibited and along with the sacred
pond, sacred bourn and clump of sporadic trees are
Plate 71
Plate 70
Plate 69
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being conserved, for example, Pirtala in Golgram of Rayna block (Burddhaman district). Some
Muslim Sacred Groves of West Bangal are being restored with its historical importance such as
in Garmandaram (plate 71) in Gighat (Hugli district); where a special Sacred Grove is being
conserved for a long historical period, that is famous for the story of war between Muslim King
Kutul Kha and the Hindu king Birendra Singh. But after the abolition of Hindu kingship, Muslim
Kutul Kha established the Grave for his commander Ishmaeil Gaji on the resident of Hindu King.
This history is attached with the Sacred Grove of Garmandaram. This area is completely
prohibited from entering wearing shoes and more than 1000 years old Tetul tree (Streblus asper)
is being conserved in this Grove.
Table 19: Islam religion based Sacred Groves in West Bengal.
Districts Location Name of the
Sacred Groves
Districts Location Name of the
Sacred Groves
Murshidab
ad Sekhdighi, Sagardihi Fulsahari Darja,
Mazar Sharif,
Lal Chand Saha
Sharif
Barddhama
n
Kalna Block, Anjuman
Datan Bati, Kalna Town
Mosque
Kusum Bazar Mazar
Khargram, Mahisar Kobor Jubilai, Gangulia Pirtala
Satnakandi, Kandi Pirtala Golgram, Rayna Thana Pirtala
Mahisar, 8 Km. away
from Khar Gram Khar
Gram
Graveyard Mantheswar, Kulen Sok
Pur
Pirer Mela
Chader Para, Jalangi Idhgaha Mogulbari, Barddhaman Pirtala
Bilashpur, Kaliganj,
Jalangi
Idhgaha Kusum Bazar Mazar Sharif
Natungram, Tal Gachi Pirtala Bardhaman Block ,
Moidara village,
Madhab Dihi
Pirer Thaan
Hugli
Girtala, Seakhala Mazar
Bachra, Rejinagar Mosque Phurphura, Mollapara Choto Hujur
Majar
Thana Goghat Kamar
Pugur
Gar Mandaran
East
Medinipur
College Road, Egra PirBabar Thaan
West
Medinipur
Main Market,
Chandrakona
Gangeswar
Pirsaheb
Thana Arambag,
Mutodanga village,
Madhabpur Anchal
Pirer Thaan
Kalyanbati, Jangipara Mazar
Ashrapur, Keshpur Pirbabar Thaan Ramnagar, Dadpur Pirer Thaan
Khanakul Negros Thaan
Maharajpur, Elahiganj Elahibaba Birbhum Akorpur, Mayureswar Pir Paloan
Saheber Mazar
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Hospital More,
Balarampur
Karbala Katagoria, Nalhati Cremation
Ground
Puraton Jhargram graveyard Illambazar Maitala
North 24
Parganas Bibipur, Dhanyakuria Mazar Malda
Panchanandapur, Malda Idhgaha
Golabari Bazaar, Taki
Road
Grave gound Uttar
Dinajpur
College More, Dalkhola Mazar
Dharmatala, Barasat Pirer Darga Jalpaiguri By Pass More, Fulbari
More, Ful Bari
Jai Baba Pirer Thaan
Nadia Hatgacha, Kamari Pirtala Kochbihar Dinhata, Thandar Char Pagla Pir Tala
(Lalan Fokir)
Kulgochagram,
Kaligang
Place for
Namaz
Haora Dakshin Jagadishpur. 11sharifer
Mazar
Kolkata Park Circus graveyard
Source: Field survey, 2012.
CHRISTIANITY:
Among Christians, Sacred Groves are also found but the percentage is only 0.9% of total Sacred
Groves. The way of conservation of this type of groves is only along the church and within its
sacred bourn mainly Pine (Pinus aphremphous) and Jhao (Casqarina equisitifdi) trees are
conserved. The examples are Marimother Sacred Grove of Kalimpong, church of Kadamtala of
Siliguri (Darjiling district) and church of Basanti island of South 24 Parganas.
BUDDHISM:
Only one Sacred Grove could be traced in the whole survey and this is found in Kunshiling guha
of Buxa (Jalipaiguri district).
BOTH HINDUISM AND ISLAM:
Banbibi (the lady of the forest), also Bandevi, Bandurga and Byaghradevi is a guardian deity of
the forests worshipped by both Hindu and Muslim residents of the Sundarbans. The example is
Banbibi Sacred Grove in Bokkhali of South 24 Parganas.
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Map 7
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9
RELIGIONS AND RELATION TO SACRED GROVES:
Religion is a collection of belief, cultural, and view that relate humanity to spirituality, and
sometimes, to moral values. The practice of a religion may also include ritual commemoration or
veneration of a God, Gods or Goddesses, sacrifices, festivals, feasts, matrimonial services,
meditation, prayer, dance, music or other aspects of human culture. Hindus make up about
72.5% of the total population in West Bengal, while Muslims comprise about 25% of the
population. The other minority communities in this state include Christians, Buddhists, Sikhs and
Jains, which together comprise less than 1% of the entire population. About 2% of West Bengal
population consists of tribal people (Bharat Online Travel Smart, n.d.). Actually these
distributions are the distribution of the categories of culture of belief. Thus on the basis of beliefs
and faiths lots of Sacred Groves are being conserving among different religions of West Bengal
(figure 4).
Table 20: Number and percentage of religion based Sacred Groves in West Bengal (based
on surveyed data).
Religions in
West Bengal
Total number of
Sacred Groves
which are
conserving
% of
total
Sacred
Groves
% of Religions
in respect of
total population
in West Bengal
Per 1 person of each
religion conserving the
number of Sacred
Grove
Hinduism 205 65.07% 72% 0.903 Sacred
Grove/Hindu person
Figure 4:
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Islam 43 13.65% 25% 0.546 Sacred
Grove/Muslim person
Christianity 3 0.95%
1%
1 Sacred Grove/both
Christian and Buddhist Buddhism 1 0.31%
Traditional
Religion/folk
religion of
Tribal
63 20.00% 2% 10 Sacred Grove/Tribal
person
Total 315 100% 100%
Source: Field Survey, 2010-2012.
So, Sacred Groves are present among all religions of West Bengal. But the distribution is
controlled by the the way of belief, i.e. Hinduism, Islamic, Christianity and Folk-religion of
tribal community. Different religious spaces are conserving Sacred Groves in their own
traditional ground. For example, Hindu people conserve it mainly in way of iconographic
presentation (for example, binding of threads and pieces of bricks with the branches of sacred
tree), Muslim people conserves mainly in ways of Idhgaha, Burial ground; Christian people
conserves at the bourn of churches and the tribal people conserve completely in natural way.
The presence of distinct religious population nourishes their Sacred Groves in a distinct way, i.e.
where the Muslim population is higher; the Muslim Sacred Groves is higher, where the Hindu
population is higher; the Hindu Sacred Groves is higher. For example, in Mushidabad district the
highest percent of population is Muslim (63.67%; Hussain et al., 2012), and parallel the highest
number of Islam religion based Sacred Groves is found (18.60% of total Islamic Sacred Groves).
In Puruliya and Bankura districts major portion of tribal communities are present (17%), as a
result Tribal Sacred Groves are higher in these two districts jointly (79.36 % of total tribal
Sacred Groves).
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1
From the above table (no. 20) and pie graphs (3 and 4) it is clear that, though the maximum
number of Sacred Groves has been plotted on area outside Hindu religion but the actual scenario
comes up when we compare the scenario of conserving Sacred groves in respect of population.
Tribal people are the indigenous culture bearer where only 2% tribes of West Bengal are
conserving 20% Sacred Groves. So it can be said that each 1 of the tribal person are nourishing 2
Sacred Groves on an average; where 72% Hindu are conserving only 65% Sacred Groves in
West Bengal and their ‘per head’ nourishment is only 0.9 Sacred Groves. 25% Muslim people
are conserving only 14% and their ‘per head’ nourishing rate is only 0.5 Sacred Groves. Thus it
can be proved that the age-old traditional Sacred Groves is nourished among tribal’s folk. The
details about tribals and Sacred Groves have been analyzed in the next sub-chapter (5.2).
72%
25%
2% 1%
Graph 3: Abstract of religion- wise population distribution in
West Bengal
Hinduism
Islam
TraditionalReligion/folkreligion of Tribal
Christianity &Buddhism
65% 14%
20%
1%
Graph 4: Religion-wise conserving Sacred Groves in
West Bengal
Hinduism
Islam
TraditionalReligion/folkreligion of Tribal
Christianity &Buddhism
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5. 2. TRIBAL POPULATION AND SACRED GROVES
TRIBAL PEOPLE AND RELATION TO SACRED GROVES:
From aforesaid unit it has been cleared that in tribal society the per capita nourishment of Sacred
Groves is higher comparative to all religions because tribal society mainly practices the
traditional worshipping methods and the result is like 1 tribal person are conserving 2 Sacred
Groves averagely in West Bengal (on the basis of total research, see table 20). In tribal societies,
religion began as conglomeration of ideas, attitudes, creeds and acts of super-naturalism, beyond
the realm of the normal. In early tribal societies of the world, this rudimentary form of religion
played an important part in the life of the community. They have their set of community
activities to ensure safety, security and prosperity which is attached with their Sacred Grove
nourishing. The tribal people played an active role in the conservation of Sacred Groves and they
considered environmental protection as a sacred duty. Forests and tribals have an intimate
relationship since ancient time. Tribal people make their own traditional folk-religion on the
basis of their traditional belief on nature and natural items. Folk-religion consists of ethnic or
regional religious customs under the umbrella of an organized religion but outside of official
doctrine and practices. Folk-religion is ‘the totality of all those views and practices of religion
that exist among the people apart from and alongside the strictly theological and liturgical forms
of the official religion. In folk-religion, tribal people believe on some traditional thinking or
maintain rituals through Sacred Groves like curses, demons and witchcraft. Tribals preserve
forest patches traditionally on religious grounds, worship forest-Gods and maintain intrinsic
relationship with nature. Flora in the forests preserved on the basis of such religious beliefs is
rich. “These Sacred Groves in tribal areas are worshipped in different religious functions and
plays an important role in social and cultural avenue. This tradition also helps to maintain
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3
ecological balance and support climax vegetation” (Kumbhojkar ei al., 1996, p.349-351). Deb
and Malhotra (1997, p.157-163) report that, among the tribals of south-west Bengal, social
gatherings take place in these groves on the occasion of Salui and Karam festivals, as well as
wedding ceremonies. On the basis of different folk-Gods tribal-folks arrange their Sacred
Groves. For example, the popular Gods of Santal tribe is: Marang Buru, Moreko, Jair era, Gosain
era, Pargana, Manjhi. All the Gods have their allotted place in the Sacred Groves, and are
worshipped only in public place. Marang Buru alone is also worshipped privately in the family.
Another example of folk-deity is attached with Sacred Groves formation, i.e. Gramadevata. No
temples existed in India during the Vedic period. They were not to be found in the Pre-Buddhist
period except for some wooden ones. “The various Gods and Goddesses whom the indigenous
population of West Bengal worshipped, was not accustomed to dwell in the secluded atmosphere
of temples; they loved the open air. The deity may be in the shadow of a big tree. Generally they
are lodged in small shrines. The concept of the worship of the Gramadevata first became popular
among the tribals” (Tiwari, 2002, p.109). In a good number of villages, no object is placed to
represent the deity and the tree itself is regarded as the embodiment of the deity among tribal
society. Sacred Grove is the property of tribal community. In tribal Sacred Groves, the
anthropomorphic idols are very rare. Their deities are mountain, termite mound, trees, animals of
the forest and rivers-untamed nature. According to tribal folklore, they don’t venture into these
forests alone. Traditional belief among tribal groups is that it is a sin to cut trees, break leaves
and pluck flowers from there Sacred Groves. Tribes are the integrated part of the nature oriented
culture. Sacred Groves are basically related with tribe and their life. From the whole survey more
than 63 tribal Sacred Groves have been observed. The basic characteristics of these Sacred
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4
Groves are: the complete nature bourn, the core center of their culture and the identity of their
tribal life.
Relation between Tribal People and Sacred Groves
Tradition of nature conservation.
People are illiterate and scrupulously nurtured their traditions.
Maintaining traditional rituals and festivals (like: Sarul, Jathal, Ashari, Bandna,
Maghi, Ma-More).
Forest oriented deities (like: Marang Buru, Jaher era, Erosim, Harihorsim).
Value of season oriented ritual maintaining (Marang Buru During Full Moon Night
of Spring, Erosim During Summer before Oryza Seed Sowing, Ashari During Rainy
Season Before Paddy Planting, Bandna During Autumn after Deepawali, Maghi
During Winter after Harvest, Ma-More During Alternately 5-10 Years when at
Epidemics).
Natural Sacrificial system and belief {Various animals (ex. Fowl for Ox Worshippng
or Erosim deity, Pigeon for Marang Buru) and or plants (ex. Twigs of Sheora for
deity Marang Buru, Spikelets of Oryza for deity Erosim) are sacrificed to realize the
gentlest boon of the deity. In times of familiar crisis, the family members take vow
before the deity for getting rid of the crisis. When crisis is wiped out by the boon of
the deity, she is propitiated in terms of various offering, gifts or sacrifices in the
form of living animals and or plants or terracotta (Krishna, 1997, p.253) of animals and
birds etc.}.
Belief about worshipping i.e. worshipping the Goddess ensures protection from wild
animals.
Deities are represented by burnt clay idols of horses and elephants.
Belief on forest of Goddess.
Most backward by any criterion (malnutrition, illiterate, hunger, hunter, semi-naked
clothing, gathering means of living)
Religious superstition acts as powerful means for the conservation.
Community management is higher.
Their feeling about nature is ‘common property’.
Nourishment of monoculture about deity worshipping.
The familiar relation of tribes with flowers and trees.
Plate 72: Erosim in Puruliya district.
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5
The detail of tribal based ‘Sacred Groves’ nourishment has been dealt in below-
LODHA: They form a peculiar possessiveness towards their tradition and love to keep it
confined within their own community were locals are
mere spectators. For example, in Lodhasol tribal village
of Keshyari block of West Medinipur district,
neighbour can enjoy only the rituals of tree worshipping
(Sal puja/worshipping of Sal tree/Shorea robusta, plate
73) from far and they can’t interfere directly into the
tree-worshipping of Lodha tribes. Actually, the time of
blossoming of Sal trees is the time of worshipping of
Salai puja. Among Lodha tribes Manasa puja is also
celebrated with pomp. For example, in Lodhasol village (the Lodha tribe oriented) of
Keshiyari block (West Medinipur district), Bot tree (Ficus benghalensis) is being conserved
for Manasa worshipping.
MURA: The tribal based Sacred Groves are mainly grove-shaped and they have special rules.
For example, Baghmundi, (Puruliya
district) Sacred Grove (plate 74) is
found and within this jungle Marang
Buru deity is worshipped by Mura tribes
where females are not allowed to enter.
Different trees are being conserved
within this Sacred Grove like: Sal
(Shorea robusta), Akar (Aquillaria malaccensis), Simul (Bombax indica), Khejur (Phoenix
Plate 73
Plate 74
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6
sylvestris) etc. The nature of worshipping is completely nature oriented and people associate
their sacred identification with their jungle erecting red flags. The mud horses and elephants
are used by Mura tribe during the worshipping at a specific place within this jungle. In whole
year, entry to this sacred area is completely restricted and only during Chaitrya month (only
the day of worshipping) people can visit here.
SANTAL: In Santal community the worshipping is mainly confined under the clump of trees.
Santal people maintain the sacred tradition of Marang Buru. It is said that He (Marang Buru)
possesses the widest possible powers
and is associated with both God and
mischievous God-lings. Among
Santals a tale is endorsed, that is,
during the flood hazards they
migrated to the peak of mountain to
protect themselves and they believe
the mountain to be the God who saved
them from dying (flood hazard). But due to globalization the mountain worshipping of tribal
people has changed and the Marang Buru festival is being maintained under the Sal trees
(Shorea robusta) or Pakur trees (Sicus infectoria). Among them some examples are: Marang
Buru puja of Khash jungle village of West Medinipur district, and Mokorkol village of
Sarenga block of West Medinipur district (plate 75) where people worship a moram rock and
place the vowed horses under sacred Pakur tree. In Santal community the worshipping of
Kali within the clump of trees is also prevalent in Saluni village of West Medinipur (plate 76)
Plate 75
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7
where different trees are being conserved such as: Pakur (Sicus infectoria), Eucalyptus
(Eucalyptus Globus) and people worship the Goddess Kali on a ‘holy place’ and they believe
that the enclosed trees of this Sacred-Thaan is the abode of Devi, so, they conserve this
Sacred Island as Sacred Grove.
They are supposed to preside over particular rural areas in which they live. Another village deity
is Monrenko Turuiko. The Santals believe that they were five brothers. They are supposedly
responsible for the welfare of the village. His younger sister Gosane era constitutes a separate
deity of Jaher Thaan (Holy grove) and is worshipped in a different hut, Jaher era, another sister
of Monrenko is the Goddess of Jaher Thaan named after her. She has a stone assigned as her
symbol. The Santals worship her for the general welfare of the village. So that their children may
have good health, crops may grow in plenty and youths and maids of the tribe may be married
quickly. Bandna means ‘bandana' or
worship. This festival is celebrated during
Kali Puja in autumn. Bandna Parab
welcomes Shashya Devi (Goddess of
grains) by worshipping her through different
rituals. On the basis of folk-Gods of
particular tribe, different sacred trees are
conserved. For example, in Mokorkol village of Sarenga block of Bankura district, Sidhu-Kanu-
Hull festival was held under Pakur tree (Sicus infectoria) and through this way the Pakurtala/the
shade with that tree became the part of Sacred Groves. Folk-God means any human-being who
may be treated as Gods or Goddesses when his/her activities will be popularized as the activity
Plate 76
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8
of God. Thus Sidhu and Kanu were the pioneers and pathfinders for the development of Santal
community and these two persons are worshipped till now by Santal community. In this way
several folk-tales are associated with Scared Groves. Some Adibashi people of Brahmandiha
village in Sarenga block of Bankura district (plate 77) maintained their traditional Sacred Grove
with the celebration of Masadbouni festival and
in this way Ashwattha tree (Ficus religiosa) is
being conserved for more than 100 years.
People give the ‘gift of mannat’ or vow items
to their God like black and brown coloured
mud- made horses and elephants and all these
are preserved in this Sacred Grove throughout
the year.
LOHA: Among Loha tribe Sacred Grove is also prominant. In Kurchidanga village
(Bikrampur) of Sarenga block of Bankura district, Loha tribe worships the Gariasan thakur
under the Ashwattha tree (Ficus religiosa). In
Manikdipa village of Garbeta there are two Sacred
Groves are being conserved in the form of jungle
and the Loha tribe performs the Ergakumari puja in
the interior of this jungle. In this way, Chalta
(Dillenia indica), and Sheora trees (Streblus asper)
are being conserved (plate 78) here.
Plate 77
Plate 78
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9
BHUMIJ: They are mainly found in Barabhum, Baghmundi, Patkum, and Dhalbhum of
Puruliya district. They are nourishing different Sacred Groves in the process of nourishing of
folk-deities. For example, Bhansingh festival (there is no image of Bhansingh who is
regarded as God to protect cattle, held during the Bengali month of Magh/15th
January to 15th
February), Akhan Jatra (first day of Magh is regarded as Akhan Jatra) and people believe as a
very auspicious day.
RABHAS: Various spirits and natural objects pervade the religious world of the Rabhas. The
main deity of the Rabhas is Rishi. Rishi, for the forest Rabhas as well as village Rabhas, is a
male deity and is also known as Mahakal (for example, ChootoMahakaldham of Jalpaiguri
district).
Table 21: List of conserving Sacred Groves among Tribal societies of West Bengal.
Name
of
Sacred
Groves
Conservi
ng by
tribal
commun
ity
Location Conserving
trees
Name of
Sacred
Groves
Conservi
ng by
tribal
commun
ity
Location Conservin
g trees
Bagra
Thaan
Santal Chipu village,
Manbazar,
Puruliya district
Mol, Sal Gagoram,
Bhansingh
puja
Bhumij Salboni, Puruliya
district
Bot
Boram
Thaan
Loha Sarup
Narayanpur
village, Lalgarh,
West Medinipur
Bot, Neem,
Kuchla,
Shera,Challa
Gagoram,
Akhanjanj
atra.
Bhumij Chipu village,
Manbazar,
Puruliya district
Eucalyptus
Boram
Thaan
Loha Birkhara village,
Lalgarh, West
Medinipur
district
Sal Garambur
i Thakur
Santal Merechoki village
, Khesariya, West
Medinipur district
Kadam
Boram
Thaan
Loha Jhilimili, West
Medinipur
district
Sal Gonamun
di
Santal Bastavpur
Sonamukhi,
Bankura district
Babla,
Knegur,
Geol
Burisani Santal Burisol village,
Salboni,
West Medinipur
district
Bot, Akar Grama
Devi
Santal Adra, Puruliya
district
Sawra
Chullata
la,
Loha Kushgeri village,
Keshirya Block,
Jalla Grama
Devi
Santal Adra, Puruliya
district
Monkurkur
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Baram
Thaan
West Medinipur
district
Dakoital
a
Santal Gopiballavpur,
West Medinipur
district
Bot, Sheora
Asathya
Gram
Baba
Thakur
Santal Puruliya
Municipality,
Puruliya district
Abra
Egraku
mari
Puja
Loha Manicdipa
village,
Garbeta, West
Medinipur
district
Sheora Grama
Devata
Santal ChetaSul village,
Shimlapal Block,
Bankura district
Khejur,
Eucalyptus
Erosim Santal Talerbandh,
Bankura district
Sal, Bhela Grama
Devata
Santal Belpahari, West
Medinipur district
Erosim,
Bamnisa
la
Santal Bamnisala,
Saltora, Bankura
district
Ankra, Sheora,
Kalikend
Grama
Devata
Santal Naya Basant,
Dompara,
Gopiballavpur,
West Medinipur
district
Karabi,
Neem, Jalla
Erosim,
Beldang
a
Santal Beldanga,
Gangajalghati,
Bankura district
Sal, Putla Harihorsi
m, Erosim
Lodha Shibkunda,
Bankura district
Sal, Koen,
Mohul
Erosim,
Ox, son-
in-law
Santal Siberbandh,
Bankura district
Sal, Sindha,
Kurchi
Harihorsi
m,
Lodha Nayagram,
Jhargram P.O.,
West Medinipur
district
Apang,
Bael,
Akarh,
Kalmegh,
Punarnava,
Latapalash,
Thankuni,
Churchuri,
Kham Alu,
Talmuli,
Gurmar,
Anantamul,
Jaher
Thaan,
Erosim
Santal,
Koramud
is
Gengari,
Bankura district
Sal, Sindha Manasa
Thaan
Lodha Lodhasola village,
Keshirya Block,
West Medinipur
district
Bot
Jaher
Thaan,
Beldabu
ri
Santal Hatibari village,
Shimlapal Block,
Bankura district
Sheora,
Khekjur
Manasa
Santal Choto Belun,
Barddhaman
district
Bael
Jaher
Thaan,
Bhadasp
ur
Santal Bhadaspur,
Saltora, Bankura
district
Sheora, Ankra,
Koitbael
Manasatal
a
Santal Kurchidanga
village,
Bikrampur,
Bankura district
Bamboo
Jaher Santal Jaypur, Bankura
district
Ankra,Challa,
Koen, Mohul
Mahakal
puja
Rabhas Doars, Jalpaiguri
district
Peepal,
Kamala,
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1
Thaan, Siris,
Gamhar,
Harra,
Lychee
Jaher
Meghna
Santal Ranichok Gram,
Amrakuchi,
West Medinipur
district
Pakur Marang
Buru
Santal Soliwala, Bankura
district
Asan,
Koen,
Mohul,
Jaam
Jhar
Boni
Santal Baodi-
Fatipursing,
Garbeta, West
Medinipur
district
Tetul Marang
Buru
Santal Majherdanga,
Bankura district
Sal, Bahera
Kamar
Mura
Mura Jaipur, Puruliya
district
Bot, Bael, Sal,
Bamboo,
Kolke
Marang
Buru
Santal Charidhagram,
Baghmundi,
Puruliya district
Sal, Kolke,
Palash,
Akar,
Simul,
Khejur
Kudratal
a
Majhi BelSule village,
Bishnupur,
Bankura district
Sal Marang
Buru
Santal Kulugora,
Bankura district
Piasal,
Simal,
Aam
Latasini
Thaan
Santal Between Sorsai-
Dantikka village,
Lalgarh, West
Medinipur
district
Challa Marang
Buru
Santal Sarenga Block,
Bankura district
Pakur
Lohatikr
i
Lodha Lohatikri,
Jhargram P.O.,
West Medinipur
district
Kalmegh,
Ishermul,
Latakanchan,
Punarnava,
Latapalash,
Thankuni,
Churchuri,
Talmuli,
Parashu, Kham
Alu, Bainchi,
Gurmar,
Anantamul,
Bantulsi,
Tulsi, Sheora,
Kuchila
Salai Lodha Guptimani,
Jhargram P.O.,
West Medinipur
district
Kunch,
Patari,
Muktajhuri,
Apang,
Kalmegh,
Kadam,
Punarnava,
Bandarlati,
Churchuri,
Parashu,
Bainchi,
Kurchi,
Bherenda,
Bantulsi,
Tulsi
Maranb
uro
Santal Digirtore, Khatra
II, Bankura
district
Lamk, Palash,
Shishu
Marang
Buru
Santal Bamnisala,
Saltora, Bankura
district
Kend, Sal,
Haritaki
Ma
Ranangi
ritala
Santal Krishnanagar
Barjara, Bankura
district
Segun, Boric Salai Lodha Muslo, Bankura
district
Sal, Swet
Masad Santal Brahmandiha Pakur Salai Lodha Sarul, Natun Sal, Koen,
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2
Bouni village, Bankura
district
Bandh, Bankura
district
Mohul,
Neem
Ox,
Napitda
nga
Santal Napitdanga,
Patrasaer,
Bankura
Sal, Bahera Salai Puja,
Marang
Buru
Santal Khas Jangal
Gram, Lalgarh,
West Medinipur
district
Sal
Ox,
Binodpu
r
Santal Saltora, Bankura
district
Sheora, Koit,
Bael, Ankra
Salpuja Lodha Lodhasola village,
Keshirya Block,
West Medinipur
Sal
Ox,
Son-in-
law
Santal Chalkdhava,
Bankura district
Sal, Kurchi,
Pial
Sarhul,
Simalari
Munda Bankura district Koen,
Mohul,
Kend,
Bainchi
ox,
Baishna
b Bandh
Santal Baishnab Bandh,
Bankura district
Sal, Aam, Pial Sarhul, Munda Siakuldaba,
Bankura district
Lamk,
Palash, Sal,
Sheora
Rangini
Thaan
Kora Khatra Block,
Bankura district
Sal, Pakur Sidhu-
Kanu Hul
Puja
Santal Ramnagar P.O.,
Mura Gram,
Lalgarg, West
Medinipur district
Pakur
Raibagh
eswari
Thaan
Santal Raibadhni Gram,
Puruliya district
Peepal Sidua Santal Satmahani village,
Gopiballavpur,
West Medinipur
district
Bot, Sheora
Salai Lodha Krishnerdanga,
Bankura district
Sal, Bahera Son-in-
law
Santal Bamnisala,
Saltora, Bankura
district
Ankra,
Sheora,
Palash
Salai Lodha Dalangora,
Taldangra,
Taldanga block,
Bankura district
Sal, Palash,
Lamk
son-in-law Santal Chandipur,
Bankura district
Kend, Sal,
Sheora
Salai Lodha Dhadkidanga,
Bankura district
Sal, Chakalda,
Neem
Source: Field survey, 2010-2012.
Hypothesis proved : Per head Sacred Groves conservation and nourishment is higher
among tribal society compared to the others.
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3
5. 3. LANDFORMS AND SACRED GROVES {Relation analysis mainly between Plateau and Mountain (also hills and foothill) area of West Bengal}
Landforms and Sacred Groves have a deep relation. A landform is a space for living-beings of
different floral, faunal and human-being. On the characteristics of landforms, the distribution
scenario of biotic world depends. The culture of people on space is largely determined by
landforms-characteristics. For example, in plateau area the availability of floral and faunal
community govern the life and culture of human communities. It can be said that the landform
identity is dependent on the habitat of the human-community. In plateau area of West Bengal
large dense mixed forests are available and different tribal communities like Santal, Lodha, Gond
etc. are nourishing their life with jungle-culture in that place. In this way they developed their
Sacred Groves culture being an integral part of their habitation. The traditional life of tribal
people in plateau area is conserving more number of Sacred Groves. The existing trees are their
gods and goddesses and the clumps of trees are the abode of their goddess. This traditional belief
is being preserved among the plateau landforms of West Bengal on the basis of the tribal habitat.
In mountain area numbers of tribes are found like Rava, Mech etc. but the number is less than
plateau area. Among them Sacred Groves worshipping is prominent but mainly in way of
tree/plant worshipping. Moreover, the population size is comparatively less than the tribal
population of plateau, so less number of settlement and tribal communities nourish less number
of Sacred Groves. In mountain region due to huge forest and harsh landforms the accessibility of
people is very less compared to plateau. So, development of Sacred Groves is very less. In recent
the pocket-urbanization is another cause of less Sacred Groves in mountain area than plateau
area. The relation has been proved through the application of quadrate method (grid size 4cm. x
4cm.) on plateau and mountain area of West Bengal (table 22 and 23).
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Table 22: Landforms-Sacred Groves relation.
Land
forms
Grid No.
on Map
(grid size:
4 cm. x 4
cm.)
Area of
each
grid on
land
Total no. of
observed
Sacred Groves
from each grid
Statistical relation between Area and Sacred
Groves
Average Scenario =
Total no. of observed Sacred Groves x 100
Total grids size on land
Plateau 1
Each
Grid is
100 sq.
km.
10 Total
observe
d
Sacred
Groves
= 57
5.7 Sacred Groves
/100 sq. km.
2 9
3 6
4 4
5 7
6 8
7 5
8 5
9 2
10 5
Hill/
foothill/
mountai
n
1 1 Total
observe
d
Sacred
Groves
= 5
0.7 Sacred Groves
/100 sq. km.
2 0
3 1
4 1
5 1
6 1
7 0
Source: Field survey, 2010-2012.
0
2
4
6
Plateau Hill/ mountain
No
. of
Sacr
ed
Gro
ves
in
pe
r 1
00
sq
. km
.
Landforms
Graph 5: Comparative view of Sacred Groves between Plateau and Mountain/ Foot Hill areas of West Bengal (2010-
2012)
Plateau Foot Hill/ Mountain
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Table 23: Landform-wise list of Sacred Groves (based on quadrate method).
In Plateau
Grid
No.
Sacred Groves Location Grid
No.
Sacred Groves Location
1 Bamnisala (I) Saltora, Bankura district 2 Sindri Manbazar, Puruliya
district
Bamnisala (II) Saltora, Bankura district Graveyard Manbazar, Puruliya
district
Bamnisala (III) Saltora, Bankura district Gagoram Chipu village,
Manbazar, Puruliya
district
Bhadaspur Saltora, Bankura district Gramthakur Gopalpur, Manbazar,
Puruliya district
Binodpur Saltora, Bankura district Sasankali and Hanuman Jorbandh, Manbazar,
Puruliya district
Basoli Avadanga, Saltora,
Bankura district
Shiva mandir Budhpur Gram,
Manbazar, Puruliya
district
Mahatirthya
Biharinathdham
Avadanga, Saltora,
Bankura district Bagra Thaan Budhpur Gram,
Manbazar, Puruliya
district
Shiva mandir Itarigram, Saltora,
Bankura district
Manasatala Budhpur Gram,
Manbazar, Puruliya
district
Bhairavtala Bharatpur, Saltora,
Bankura district
Bagrangbalitalas Budhpur Gram,
Manbazar, Puruliya
district
Chanditala Baradia, Matori, Saltora,
Bankura
4 Sastitala Jhaldia, Puruliya district
3 Gramadevi Kashipur, Rejopara,
Bankura district
Sastitala Anandabazar, Jhaldia,
Puruliya
Kali mandir Hura, Bankura district Kalitala Kalipahar, Puruliya
district
Maguri hill
Bara Baba
Hura, Bankura district Sankat Mochon mandir Anandabazar, Jhaldia,
Puruliya district
Baram Lalpur, Hura, Bankura
district
Sidhu-Kanu Birshamore, Jhaldia,
Puruliya
Shiva Mandia Jambaj, Hura, Bankura
district
6 Burial Ground Teleopara, Puruliya
Municipality, Puruliya
district
Hanumantala Jainagar, Hura, Bankura
district
Burial Ground Teleopara, Puruliya
Municipality, Puruliya
district
5 Naktitala Burga Gram, Baghmundi,
Puruliya district
Grambaba Abra, Puruliya district
Chaitanyatala Charidhagram,
Baghmundi, Puruliya
district
Grambaba Abra, Puruliya district
Marang Buru Charidhagram,
Baghmundi, Puruliya
district
Maguria Deshbandhu, Bankura
district
Marang Buru Charidhagram,
Baghmundi, Puruliya
district
Hanumantala Raniroad, Bankura
district
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Ram mandir Ajadhya hill, Baghmundi,
Puruliya district
Raibagheswari Thaan Raibadhgram, Bankura
district
Sharul puja Ajadhya hill, Baghmundi,
Puruliya district
Hanumantala Sinchasmore, Bankura
district
Shivatala Bareriamore, Baghmundi,
Puruliya district
8 Shivatala Raghunathpur, Bankura
district
7 Manasa Balarampur, Puruliya
district
Shivatala Raghunathpur, Bankura
district
Karbela Pirer Thaan
Hospitalmore,
Balarampur, Puruliya
district
Sitala Sankarpara,
Raghunathpur, Bankura
district
Machandi Protiti village,
Hospitalmore, Puruliya
district
Shivatala Sankarpara,
Raghunathpur, Bankura
district
Kothas Thaan Salboni, Puruliya district Marang Buru Raghunathpur, Bankura
district
Gagoram Salboni, Puruliya district 10. Bandarpahar Maithan, Bzrddhaman
district
9 Gagoram Jhilimili, Bankura district Shivatala Kalnyaneswari,
Barddhaman district
Gagoram Daspara, Khajuria,
Bankura district
Hanumantala Kalnyaneswari,
Barddhaman district
Kalnyaneswari temple Kalnyaneswari,
Barddhaman district
Nakrajura Salarpur, Barddhaman
district
In Mountain/Hill and Foothill Area
1 Shivadham Rongtong, Darjiling
district
2 NA
3 Dhirdham Darjiling district 4 Merimother church Kalimpong, Darjiling
district
5 Veku Pagla
Baba
Hashimara, Jalpaiguri
district
6 Chotamahakal Jayanti, Jalpaiguri
district
7 NA
Source: Field survey, 2010-2012.
From the above table (22 and 23) and bar graph (5) it has been proved that large numbers of
Sacred Groves are being conserved in every 100 sq. km. of plateau landform. The value is 5.7
Sacred Groves in every 100 sq. km.; where very little numbers (0.7 in per 100 sq. km.) of Sacred
Groves are being conserved in mountain also hill and foothill area landform of West Bengal. It
has many causes but mainly related with the tribal traditions, rituals, cultures, faith and
availability of resources. In plateau area tree is the main resource, so, they are dependent on trees
and tit’s by-products largely. The importance of the demand raises the importance of the
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conservation of the same. The key causes of the differences of the Sacred Groves conservation
between plateau and hill are outlined under the following figures.
Under developed
Large no. of tribal pockets
Nourishing more traditional practices
by tribal people
Highly folk-religion, folk-belief and
folk-culture
Lack of resource variability
Rural settlement is higher comparison
to urban towns
Lack of modernization and
globalization
Lack of tourism-crowd
Causes for higher number of Sacred Groves (5.7 per 100 Sq. km.) in Plateau area of West Bengal
Less number of tribal community compared to plateau area
Huge forest so less important about clump of pockets of groves / island like sacred
jungle
Tree worshipping are more rather grove
Recent highly pocket-urbanization
Impact of modernization and local people adopting it rampantly
Comparative developed than plateau
Less folk culture are nourishing
Highly tea plantation zone
Small no. of settlement, population and inhabitation ( because Sacred Groves are
the culture which is nourished by human habitats)
Causes for lower number of Sacred
Groves (0.7 per 100 Sq. km.) in
Mountain area of West Bengal
Hypothesis proved: In plateau, the nature and extent of Sacred Groves conservation
is more than mountain/hill and foothill area.
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5. 4. SETTLEMENTS AND SACRED GROVES
Settlements and Sacred Groves are interrelated phenomena. But the nature of settlements largely
controls the identity and presence of Sacred Groves. Sacred Groves is nourished at the fringe of
the villages or at a distance from settlements. This is because people believe that this distance
will preserve the sacredness of the Sacred Groves. With the process of urbanization the Sacred
Groves are reducing from our settlement geography and a complete scenario of West Bengal has
been evolved under the following tables (24) and graphs (6 and 7).
Table 24: Sacred Groves in Urban landscape (based on surveyed data).
Name of
The Sacred
Groves
Location Name of The
Sacred
Groves
Location Name of
The Sacred
Groves
Location
Shmashan
Kali,
Hanuman
Side of Torsa River,
Hashimara
Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri
district
Manasa Balarampur,
Puruliya
Beldanga
Sacred
Groves
Beldanga, Bankura
district
Shivatala FCI Godaon,
Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri
district
Karbala
(Pirbabar
Thaan)
Balarampur,
Puruliya
Mosque,
Kalna
Anjuman
Datanbati
Tala
Kalna Town, Hugli
district
Baeltala Alipurduar Court,
Jalpaiguri district
Gagoram Balarampur,
Puruliya
Kali mandir Rani Ghat, Side of
Bhagirathi River
Navadwip, Nadia
district
Shiva Bari Shiva Bari, Alipurduar
Junction, Chechamata,
Jalpaiguri district
Gagoram Barabazar/Barabh
um, Sindri,
Puruliya
graveyard Puraton Jhargram,
West Medinipur
district
Shiva, Kali Per House Side,
Raiganj, North
Dinajpur
Radha
Krishna Adra, Puriliya
district Baramtala Puraton Jhargram,
West Medinipur
district
Mazar College More
Dalkhola, North
Dinajpur district
Gramadevi Adra, Puriliya
district
Pir Baba College Road,
Egra, East
Medinipur district
Rakshya
Kali
Bogrul Gram,
Dubrajor Thana,
Kukhutia
Dubrajpur, Birbhum
district
Bhairavtala Balarampur,
Bankura
Pir Babar
Thaan
Egra 2, East
Medinipur district
Sacred Hot
Spring Ghat,
One Ghat of
51 Ghat
Bokreswar, Hot Spring
Ghat, Bakreswar
temple, Dubrajpur,
Birbhum district
Baeltala,
Sannyashi
Baba
Bankura Town
area, Bankura
district
Narayani
Mar mandir
Egra 2, East
Medinipur district
Gutulikalital
a
Monoharpur, Nanur,
Birbhum district
Sastitala,
Rupchand
Bankura Town
Area, Bankura
Pir Thaan Ramnagar, Dadpur,
Haora district
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Baba district
Kalitala
Monoharpur, Nanur,
Birbhum district
Sindri
Mountain,
Kali puja
Bankura district Kali mandir Bara Kalibaripara
Basirhat, North 24
Parganas district
Baba Gosai
Ashram
Asansol, Barddhaman
district
Ma
Ranangiritala
Krishnanagar,
Bankura district
Source: Field survey, 2010-2012.
Map 8
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0
Table 25: Presence of Sacred Groves in Urban and Rural landscape (based on surveyed
data).
Types of settlement
landscapes
Total
number
in West
Bengal
% of
people live
in each
landscape
(census
2011)2
Total no. of
observed
Sacred
Groves
% of
Sacred
Grove
located in
each
settlement
category
Percentage of
Sacred Groves in
landscape wise
(Settlement-Sacred
Groves relation)
Urban (total 375;
census of
India,
2001) 1
Mega 1
31.89%
0
31
9.84% 0.30 Sacred
Grove/Urban
person of Urban
settlement
Urban
Agglomeration
57
1
City/town 317 30
Rural 68.11% 284 90.16% 1.32 Sacred
Grove/Rural person
or Rural settlement
Total 100% 315 100%
Source: Field survey, 2010-2012.
From the above pie graphs (6 and 7) it is clear that the belief of urban heart in Sacred Groves is
very deteriorating and the value resting at 9.8% (present in urban landscape) showing its
witness. A most thoughtful issue has been raised here i.e. 1 urban person nourish only 0.3 Sacred
Grove, where 1 rural person of West Bengal nourish 1.3 Sacred Grove.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
1Th. Brinkhoff: The Principal Agglomerations of the World, 2012-04-01 2http://www.census2011.co.in/census/state/west+bengal.html
90%
10%
Graph 7 : Rural-Urban Sacred Groves in West Bengal :The
Contrast
Rural
Urban
32%
68%
Graph 6: Rural-Urban Population in West Bengal :
The Distribution
Rural
Urban
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This result proves the dearth of nourishing Sacred Groves is found in urban cores. Another issue
has come out from the whole survey, i.e. when we move from remote rural to agglomerate urban
the bourn or size of Sacred Groves is reduced. A Sacred Grove has two main parts i.e. the
central/core worshipping place; where deities are worshipped and the surrounded foliage of
grove for protecting the deities. Among rural people both are important. But due to lack of space,
restrain of belief, touch of modernization and concretization, constructions, pop-culture and the
dearth of maintaining traditions surrounding foliage ‘groves-nature’ is deteriorating; when we
watch the health of Sacred Groves from rural to city or mega city. For example if we move to
DangaliKalitala in Bolpur town of Birbhum district, we see, dead sacred tree is worshipped
within the temple; which was once a Scared Groves (25 years before from now). Moving to
Kankalitala Sacred Groves from Bolpur town (9 km. far away from town) the temple based
original grove identity can be explored. Again if we move to Gopiballavpur of West Medinipur
district from Kharagpur town or move from Puruliya town to Kolkata mega city (India has 4
Mega cities and Kolkata is one of them) we can realize the same condition. In relation to Sacred
Groves no Sacred Grove is found in Kolkata except Graveyard in Park circus because this mega
town is spreading vertically and horizontally very fast (the population growth rate is 2.0% in
2001-2011). Kolkata can’t afford the space for nourishing Sacred Groves. But the relict of areal
Scared Groves can be found in locational form and it bears the crude perception of Kolkata about
Sacred Groves. The main causes for this are : most of the people of Kolkata don’t believe on the
folk-religions, and they have not sufficient space for living, excessive transport-population
pressure, and adapting more modernization-urbanization etc.
Hypothesis proved : Rural area is conserving large percentage of Sacred Groves
than urban area.
.