Chapter 4 SACRED GROVES AND RELATED TRADITIONAL PRACTICES 4.1. Traditional practices 4.1.1. Trees and Jungle worshipping 4.1.2. Rock worshipping 4.1.3. Soil worshipping 4.1.4. Sacred mound/tila worshipping 4.1.5. Water/pond worshipping 4.1.6. Sacrifice within worship 4.1.7. Practicing of Folk-arts 4.2. Traditional practices and its relation to Sacred Groves 4.2.1. Relation based on ancient myths 4.2.2. Relation based on folk-tales
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e64
Chapter 4
SACRED GROVES AND RELATED TRADITIONAL
PRACTICES
4.1. Traditional practices
4.1.1. Trees and Jungle worshipping
4.1.2. Rock worshipping
4.1.3. Soil worshipping
4.1.4. Sacred mound/tila worshipping
4.1.5. Water/pond worshipping
4.1.6. Sacrifice within worship
4.1.7. Practicing of Folk-arts
4.2. Traditional practices and its relation to Sacred Groves
4.2.1. Relation based on ancient myths
4.2.2. Relation based on folk-tales
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4. 1. TRADITIONAL PRACTICES
In West Bengal, several folk-practices are being conserved with the traditions of Sacred Groves
(table 9). Different rituals, customs, beliefs, cultures and tales are preserved through the
maintenance of sporadic Sacred Groves in West Bengal. Items used for the conduction,
representation of the age-old rituals and in turn conservation of the traditional practices, for
example plastic mangal ghats/consecrated pitchers, bits of plastics, pieces of rocks, threads or
coating of vermilion etc. portrays the intimate relationship shared between nature and human-
being dwelling within. The traditional culture and practices bear the religious belief of people
geographically. For example in most part of South of Bengal people maintain their traditional
practices of worshipping Sacred Groves with sacred mud horses and elephants.
Table 9: Sacred Groves and related traditional practices in West Bengal.
Traditional practices
(based on iconographic
worshipping)
Total number Percentage in respect of
total surveyed Sacred
Groves (i.e. 315)
Trees/ jungle/groves
worshipping
269
(rest 46 groves are conserved being
Islam and Christianity religions based;
where worshipping is not found)
85.39%
Rock worshipping 52 16.50%
Soil worshipping 4 1.20%
Sacred mound/tila
worshipping
4 1.20%
Water worshipping 8 2.53%
Sacrificial system 29 9.20%
Folk-arts 6 1.90%
Source: Field survey, 2010-2012.
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4. 1.1. TREES AND JUNGLE WORSHIPPING
People long ago could realize the valor of nature and her courtyard and it’s this fear of power that makes
them respect and worship Nature. With the introduction of the hunting and gathering of foods among
ancient people, the Jungle expedition or exploration started. On the way people faced certain incidents
which over-powered them, and they failed to reason out the cause behind and believed it to be God’s will.
Actually this is the folk-belief that there are some jungles present in the society which forms the
home of folk-Gods. The examples are: jungle worshipping in Mohonpur village in Chandrakona
of West Medinipur district where every evening a lady worship their folk-Gods within the sacred
jungle; worshipping of sacred jungle in Nittyanadapur in Sonamukhi of Bankura district where
different Sheora trees (Aegle marmelos) are completely untouched by people. This bourn is
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
Trees/jungle/grove
sworshipping
Rockworshipping
Soilworshipping
Sacredmound/tila
worshipping
Waterworshipping
Sacrificingsyste
m
Folk-arts
Total number 269 52 4 4 8 29 6
W
ay o
f t
rad
itio
nal
p
ract
ice
s
Graph 2 : Traditional practices in Sacred Groves of West Bengal
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worshipped by Muslim people but all other religions can enter this place, though only at a
particular day every year; worshipping of sacred
jungle in Haripurbazar in Pandaveswar of
Barddhaman district, where adibashi folks
worship the Masansing thakur within this sacred
bourn (plate 35). The nature and the types of trees
are sporadic. The way of worshipping differs from district to district and region to region.
Different people and their diverse folk-beliefs organize different ways of worshipping. Thus
showing respect to nature through tree worshipping
creates lore of environment (Wikipedia, n.d.). People
wrap a white-and-red cloth round the trunk of tree to
demarcate it as sacred. Sometimes people bind of
plastics (for example, Rareswari Shiva mandir in
Durgapur of Barddhaman district), or pieces of bricks
with the trunk (for example, Garhchandi mandir of
Garhjangal of Barddhaman district, plate 36) etc. The folk-beliefs and traditional rituals are
attached with all sacred trees. People believe that all these sacred trees are the abode of God and
if they worship the sacred trees their future will be
sacred as will be taken care by the deity herself. The
nature of beliefs and the bases of sacredness are too
deep and for this we can identify more specimen of
folk-culture with tree worshipping in our geographical
territory. For instance, people coat the sacred trees at
Plate 35
Plate 37
Plate 36 Plate 36
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Sacred Grove with vermilion (for example, Rangini Thaan in Khatra of Bankura district, plate
37) which is the reflection and identified sacredness.
The belief on sacred trees of Sacred Groves occupies an immense part towards nature
worshipping. In Sacred Groves dead trees are also worshipped by common people because they
believe that though the tree is life-less, yet their Lord
might not left her dwelling and is privileged forever.
For examples, Gagoram Sacred Grove in Balarampur
of Puruliya district (plate 38) and worshipping of 500
years old dead Neem tree (Azadirachta indica) in
Gopiballavpur of West Medinipur district (plate 39).
So the faith is constant and through this way people
are conserving their folk-worshipping and the
belief on nature worshipping.
Table 10: Nourishing of Sacred Groves on the basis of practices of worshipping of sacred
trees and jungle.
Name of the
Sacred
Groves
Sacred trees Location Name of the
Sacred Groves
Sacred trees Location
Sani Bot, Jhao Gari Dhora,
Darjiling district
Shiva, Kali Bot Per House Side,
Raiganj, Uttar
Dinajpur district
Veku Pagla Saitan tree 13 No., Hashimara, Kali, Shiva Sheora, Bot Laskarpur
Plate 39
Plate 38
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Babar
Ashram
In The Way of
Jaigao,
Alipurduar,
Jalpaiguri district
Trimohini,
Dakshin
Dinajpur district
Shmashan
Kali,
Hanuman
Ashwattha Side of Torsa River,
Hashimara
Jalpaiguri district
Kali, Shiva Bot,
Ashwattha
Paranpur
Balurghat,
Dakshin
Dinajpur district
Shivatala Bot, Ashwattha Palashbari,
Alipurduar,
Jalpaiguri district
Hanuman Bot,
Ashwattha,
Aam
Chorbarpur,
Kaliachok,
Malda district
Manasa Manasa, Bot,
Tulsi
Subhashpally,
Alipurduar,
Jalpaiguri district
Manasa Ashwattha,
Bot
Ramkali, Gour,
Malda district
Kalitala Indian Fig
Trees
Kulgochagram,
Kaligang,
Murshidabad
district
Devi
Choudhurani
Bot, Pakur Sikarpur, 2 Km. from
Boda Ganj
Rajganj, Jalpaiguri
district
Kalitala Bot Kundal P.O.,
Andi village,
Barua Thana,
Murshidabad
district
Shivatala Bot, Ashwattha FCI Godaon,
Alipurduar,
Jalpaiguri district
Burial ground
Bot Mahisar, 8 km.
away frm khar
gram Khar gram,
Murshidabad
district
Baeltala Bael, Bot Alipurduar Court,
Jalpaiguri district
Shiva mandir Ashwattha,
Tal
MamaBhagne
hill, Khoirasol,
Birbhum district
Shivatala Bot, Ashwattha Santalabari, Buxa,
Jalpaiguri district
Kali, Shiva Ashwattha Umuapara,
Saithia, Birbhum
district
Shiva Bot Jayanti More,
Jalpaiguri district
Dharampur Gilepi, Bot Barutia,
Koteswar,
Mayureswar,
Birbhum district
Shivabari Bot Chechamata,
Jalpaiguri district Khapakalitala
Tetul Indus, Birbhum
district
Ketara mandir Bot Mati Mari
Dinhata, Coachbihar
district
Tara Ma mandir Bot Side of Brahmani
Bridge,
Nalhati, Birbhum
district
Rakshya Kali Ashwattha,
Bael, Khejur
Bogrul Gram,
Dubrajor Thana, P.O.
Kukhutia,
Dubrajpur, Birbhum
district
Ramdas Baba
mandir
Ashwattha Bazarpukur,
Nogri, Suri
Thana, Siuri1,
Birbhum district
Sacred Hot
Spring Ghat,
One Ghat of
51 Ghat
Bot, Neem Bokreswar, Hot
Spring Ghat.
Bakreswar temple,
Birbhum district
Shiva Bokul Koridhya,
Hattala, Siuri1,
Birbhum district
Tara Ma
mandir
Bot Side of Brahmani
Bridge,
Nalhati, Birbhum
Shmashan Mata Bot Fulera, Siuri
Road, Siuri 2,
Birbhum district
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district
Sat Ma puja Bot Rajnagar
Ghatdurlavpur,
Rajnagar, Birbhum
district
Dharamtala
Daed-Palm,
Bamboo,
Fan-Palm Kapastiguri, Labpur,
Birbhum district
Pokhabaganrakhaka
litala
Jaam, Bael,
Shaora,
Neem
Labpur, Birbhum
district
Fulloratala Bot, Cactus,
Fan-Palm
Labpur, Birbhum
district
Bilwa-Mongal
And Sohombaba’r
Ashram
Bot, Tamal Bilwa Gram Near
Jayadeb, Illam
Bazar, Birbhum
district
Shivachandita
la
Bot, Pakur,
Dead-Palm
Kharboni,
Illambazar,
Birbhum district
Manasa Tetul Koma village,
Puradarpur,
Birbhum district
Sitola-
Brahmachari-
Manasatala
Aam, Mehogani Kharboni G.S.Coloni,
Illambazar, Birbhum
district
Dharmaraj Bot Koma village,
Puradarpur,
Birbhum
Bagratala
Sal, Mahua Dhallah, Illambazar,
Birbhum district
Dharmaraj Bot Side of Brahmani
Bridge, Nalhati
1, Birbhum
district
Bagratala Fan-Palm, Jiola
Dhallah, Illambazar,
Birbhum Kalishah mandir
Tetul, Jaam Santiniketan,
Bolpur, Birbhum
district
Sannasitala Tetul, Sand
Paper Tree,
Pakur
Ruppur, Birbhum
district
Chatimtala
Sheora Santiniketan,
Bolpur, Birbhum
district
Kankalitala
Arjun, Bot,
Jiola, Jaam,
Pakur
Kankalitala, Bolpur,
Birbhum district Dakshinakalitala
Tetul, Jaam,
Sugar Apple (
Ata)
Bora, Nanur,
Birbhum district
Kankalitalac
remation
Ground
Bot, Sheora,
Hrajora
Kankalitala, Bolpur,
Birbhum district
Ekmentala
Ashwattha Beloma,
Illambazar,
Birbhum
district
Shivatalashiv
dur
Fan-Palm
Sureteswar, Bolpur
Birbhum district
Bramacharibababur
otala
Bot, Arjun,
Jaam, Sand
Paper Tree,
Guava, Jack
Fruit
Halsidanga,
Illambazar,
Birbhum
district
Raresher
Shiva Manir
Arjun, Pakur,
Bael, Khejur,
Tetul
Gopalpur,
Barddhaman district
Bishaharitala
Bamboo ,
Dead-Palm
Cheelah, Illam
Bazar, Birbhum
district
Gutulikalitala
Neem
Monoharpur,
Nanur, Birbhum
district Kalitala
Dead Palm ,
Sand Paper
Tree
Monoharpur,
Nanur,
Birbhum
district
Jungle Arjun, Pakur,
Sheora, Tetul
Gopalpur,
Barddhaman district
Manasa Neem, Tetul,
Jackfruit,
Aam, Shirish
School Market,
Gantar,
Memari,
Barddhaman
district
Chandi
mandir
Bot Muchipara,
Durgapur, Dharmarajtala
Dead Palm Dhallah,
Illambazar,
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Barddhaman district Birbhum
district
Nagraichandi Neem, Khejur Bujrukha Dighi,
Place Nagraichandi,
Khero Pota Bazaar,
Barddhaman district
Manasa Khejur,
Neem,
Manasa
Jikrapur, Sat
Gachia,
Memari,
Barddhaman
district
Dalipuja Bot Satkahania, Kaksha,
Barddhaman district
Shmashan Kali Bot, Shishu,
Neem, China
Rose
Mahadabda
village,
Bhatar Thana,
Barddhaman
district
Boram Chakla,
Ashwattha
Satkahania, Kaksha,
Barddhaman district
Panchya Nath Bot, Sheora Jiara village,
Bhatar Thana,
Barddhaman
district
Vairab Baba
Kali mandir
Chakla
Da/Khelkadam
Bankathi,
Barddhaman district
Manasa Bamboo,
China Rose,
Sheora
Kachera P.O.,
Deypara village,
Bhatar Thana,
Barddhaman
district
Daityasurh Bael, Pakur,
Khejur, Neem
Bankathi,
Barddhaman district
Shmashan Kali Bael,
Coconut,
Kadam
Panagarh,
Barddhaman
district
Samdali Bael Neemtiguri,
Barddhaman district
Kali Bari Ashram Tetul, Kadam Durgapur 3,
Barddhaman
district
Shyama
mandir
Kusum, Bari Garjangal,
Barddhaman district
Hanuman Bael, Aam,
Jackfruit,
Jilepi
Gopal Math,
Sujra Plot,
Durgapur 12,
Barddhaman
district
Sri Chanditala Pakur Garjangal,
Barddhaman district
Gosai Ashram Bot, Jhao,
Aam, Tetul
Andal Thana,
Bagajora,
Barddhaman
district
Baba Gosai
Ashram
Segun Asansol,
Barddhaman district
Masansing Thakur Bot, Pakur,
Kodom, Tetul
Haripur Bazar,
Pandaveswar,
Barddhaman
district
Kali Eucalyptus,
Jackfruit, Jhao,
Aam,
Ashwattha
Nakrajuria, Salarpur,
Barddhaman district
Ratha Gobindo
Seba Ashram
Bot Along Ajay
River,
Pandabeswar,
Barddhaman
district
Amarnath
Shivamandir
Bot Bhandar Pahar,
Maithan,
Kalnyaswari Thana,
Barddhaman district
Harisabha Bot Harisabha Para
Besides the River
Bank
Katoa,
Barddhaman
district
Buro Raj
Malai
Ashwattha, Bot Kusum Gram
Mantheswar,
Barddhaman district
Gagogram Bot Balarampur,
Puruliya district
Ram mandir Debdaru, Jhao, Ajadya P.O., Under Gagoram Bot Barabazar/Barab
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Aam, Jackfruit,
Tulsi
Baghmundi Block,
Puruliya district
hum, Sindri,
Puruliya district
Manasa Pakur, Bot Balarampur, Puruliya
district
Gagoram Eucalyptus Chipu village,
Manbazar,
Puruliya district
Shiva mandir Kuchla, Pakur,
Shirish
Budhpur, Manbazar,
Puruliya district
Shmashan Kali
and Hanuman
Kuchla,
Pakur,
Shirish
Jorbandh,
Manbazar,
Puruliya district
Bagra Thaan Mol, Sal Jhalida, Sindri,
Puruliya district
Gram Baba
Thakur
Abra Puruliya
Municipality
Radha
Krishna
Bael Adra, Puruliya
district
Raibagheswari Thaan
Peepal Puriliya
Municipality
Gramya Devi Sheora Adra, Puruliya
district
Kamar Mura Bot, Bael,
Sal, Bamboo,
Kolke
Jaipur, Puruliya
district
Gramya Devi Mon Kurkur Kashipur, Puruliya
district
Naktitala Kusum Baghmundi,
Puruliya district
Maguria Baba
Bara Pahar
Tetul, Segun Hura, Puruliya
district
Marang Buru Thaan
Sal,
Huka/Kolke,
Palash, Akar,
Simul,
Khejur
Charidhagram,
Puruliya district
Shmashangha
t Kali
Bot Pratappur, Barjora,
Bankura district
Madnatala Bot, Bamboo,
Akol
Bamundigha,
Bankura district
Dharmarajtala Kuchle/Chiral/
Kelegora
Gourbera, Barjora,
Bankura district
Birinchi Dham Neem, Bael,
Kolke,
Sheora
Nituria, Bankura
district
Ma
Ranangiritala
Segun, Boric Krishnanagar,
Bankura district
Sitala Bamboo Gargaria village,
Sarenga, Bankura
district
Bhairavtala Tetul, Bot Rajmadhabpur,
Bankura district
Manasatala Bamboo Bikrampur,
Sarenga, Bankura
district
Gonamundi Babla, Knegur,
Geol
Bastavpur, Bankura
district
Gramadevota Khejur,
Eucalyptus
Cheta Sul
village,
Shimlapal Block,
Bankura
Rupdas Baba Tulsi, Neem,
Shaora
Beleswar,
Sonamukhi, Bankura
district
Manasa And Kali
mandir
Bamboo,
Bael, Pakur
Rambikrampur,
Shimlapal Block,
Bankura
Madnya
Thakur
Bot Krishnyabati,
Bankura district
Kudratala Sal BelSule village,
Bishnupur,
Bankura district
Bhairavtala Bot, Sheora Balarampur village,
Bankura district
Mangal Chandi Bot Panua village,
Kotulpur,
Bankura district
Kalitala Kutila Jairampur, Bankura
district
Ban Borather
Tala/Shiva
Ashwattha,
Sheora
Gobindapur,
Jagal Dip,
Indus, Bankura
district
Kalitala Kadam, Neem,
Tetul, Bot,
Babla
Bisnyapur Town,
Bankura district
Manasatala Cactus,
Manasa
Rajkumar, Jagal
Dip,
Indus,
Bankura district
Kalitala Tetul Lagalpukur, Bankura Manasatala Babla, Fani Indus, Bankura
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district Manasa,
Sheora
district
Baram Thaan Bamboo Khamarberia,
Bankura district
Manasatala Neem Baikunthapur,
Indus, Bankura
district
Ma Kujurhani Neem,
Fanimanasa,
Bot
Goguragram,
Bankura district
Manasatala Manasa,
Shishu
Sakharipara,
Indus, Bankura
district
Shmashangha
t Kali,
Bhairav
Pakur Patakola, Bankura
district
Manasatala Manasa, Bot Sakharipara,
Indus, Bankura
district
Other 3
Sacred Trees
Pakur, Bot,
Manasa
Lalbazar, Bankura
district
Vairabitala Khejur, Tal Saspur, Indus,
Bankura district
Kalitala Bael, Neem,
Pakur,
Lalbazararea,
Bankura district
Beldanga Sal, Putla Bankura district
Baeltala,
Sannyasi
Baba
Pakur, Kadam,
Nakur, Bael
Bankura Town Area
Bankura district
Muslo Sal, Swet Muslo, Bankura
district
Sastitala,
Rupchand
Baba,
Shivatala
Bot, Ashwattha,
Neem
Bankura Town Area,
Bankura district
Siberbandh Sal, Sindha,
Kurchi
Siberbandh,
Bankura district
Sindri
Mountain,
Kali puja
Neem, Chatora,
Akashmoni,
Shiris
Bankura district Basil Thakur Sheora,
Chatni
Chhatna,
Bankura district
Basoli mandir Bot Aradanga, Saltora,
Bankura district
Kali Pakur,
Eucalyptus
Saluni Gram,
Bankura district
Mahatirthya
Biharinath
Dham
Neem, Bael Aradanga, Saltora,
Bankura district
Napitdanga Sal, Bahera Patrasaer,
Bankura district
Shiva mandir Tetul Ituri Gram, Saltora,
Bankura district
Baishnab Bandh Sal, Aam,
Pial
Bankura district
Chanditala Neem Baradia, Matori
Bankura district
Natun Bandh Sal, Koen,
Mohul, Neem
Bankura district
Basuli Dham Bot Sarbori, Bankura
district
Kulugora Piasal,
Shimul, Aam
Bankura district
Chalkdhava Sal, Kurchi,
Pial
Bankura district Shivakunda Sal, Koen,
Mohul
Shivakunda,
Bankura district
Dhadkidanga Sal, Chakalda,
Neem
Dhadkidanga,
Bankura district
Bamnisala Kend, Sal,
Haritaki
Saltora, Bankura
district
Dalangora Sal, Palash,
Lamk
Bankura district Bamnisala Ankra,
Sheora,
Palash
Saltora, Bankura
district
Gengari Sal, Sindha Gengari, Bankura
district
Bamnisala Ankra,
Sheora,
Kalikend
Saltora, Bankura
district
Telarbandh Sal, Bhela Bankura district Digistore Lamk,