Treating Trees and Woods as Sacred has been an integral part of the social and religious consciousness of old civilizations all over the world. The Institution of Sacred Groves goes back to the pre-agrarian period, before humans started tilling land. It was based on the belief that all Creations of Nature are worthy of respect and preservation.
SACRED GROVES in INDIA : are those patches of woodland dedicated to a deity / Guardian /Ancestral Spirit and protected by local community. The older the groves are, the more rudimentary the shrines to these guardians , sometimes represented by just a rock, the focus being on the holiness of the forest itself.
Marking a stand of trees as “Sacred” ensures preservation of the grove as lung space, encouraging bio diversity , maintaining soil fertility , regulating local hydrology and offering refuge to a variety of animal species too. Logging and Poaching , minimised. Reverence for groves/forests influences local community towards sustainable utilisation of Natural Resources, as boons granded by The Spirit of The Forest.
Sometimes, in absence of an entire forest, a representation of it, in the form of a “Panchavati” ( five species of trees ) is maintained beside the community shrine.
As with everything else, the Sacred Grove Tradition too is facing danger of rampant Urbanisation : encroachment , logging , slash and burn. Ironically, in a few instances, the deity of the sacred grove gets a brand new spacious temple built by enthusiastic devotees who cut down and clear away most of the forest for the enterprise. When focus shifts from the sacredness of the grove to Popularity of the Deity, the very concept of conservation of forests gets defeated.
The Western Ghats and The North East Belt are known to have more number of Sacred Groves than other regions.
Mawphlang Sacred Forest in Meghalayas is considered special because it preserves the ancient ecosystem , undisturbed by any intervention, in its virgin state, till today.
Sacred Groves find mention in our Epics , Myths , Legends and Folk Lore. NAIMISHARANYAM , where many great Seers lived, is the most sacred of all groves, because of the belief that Sri Narayana himself is in Vana –Swaroopam ( forest form) here.
In The Ramayana, the exiled Rama with brother and wife, visits many groves and woods made sacred by presence of Rishis . Such sanctified woods are referred to as TAPOVANAs and no desecration of these were ever tolerated .
Forest Spirits are popularly called YAKSHI or Yakshini . They can be playful or mischievous , benevolent or malevolent , just like Mother Nature herself.
Vana Durga and BanaShankari are forest dwelling Mothers more popular in the south.
In Nepal, even to this day, blessings of the Goddess of the Forest , BAN DEVI , are sought before entering for work of any kind. Though not specially designated as Sacred Forest, any forest automatically merits such respect .
DEVARA KADUs of Kodagu District, Karnataka.
Kodagu ( Coorg), spread across undulating hilly terrain with salubrious weather, is a particularly lush land where, by tradition, every village community maintained a Sacred Grove. Before cash crop plantations became widespread here, Kodagu was known for its abundant Sacred Groves dedicated to Aiyyappa or Subramanya, both considered Forest Guardians. They were mostly represented by only a Menhir and all local festivities and Jatres took place in the Groves. Forest produce like Honey,firewood, medicinal herbs and fruits were allowed to be gathered , but only after ritualistic prayers for permission from the Guardian . Though the number of Devara Kadus has greatly dwindled, certain beliefs about Guardian Spirits still linger on. They are now believed to guard the plantations.
KOVIL KADUs and NANDAVANAMs of Tamil Nadu. Folk Deities, Guardians of The Village ( Muniswaran, Ayyanar , Karuppan etc) are usually placed in specially protected Groves which cannot be exploited by the community. The Ayyanar Groves are spectacular sights, with gigantic images and numerous clay horses , big and small, offered as votives .
When Grand Temples were commissioned by royalty and wealthy patrons in big towns, provision was made to plant and nurture gardens of flowers, fruits and herbs, dedicated to the temples . These were the holy NANDAVANAMS. Besides that, any one particular tree, (with significance arising from legends related to the shrine’s origin ), would be planted within the temple compound and honoured as The Sthala Vriksham. The tree received veneration equal to that of the deities.
KAVUs of Kerala. It was once customary for all homesteads ( thatavads) to nurture a patch of woods dedicated to the family deity, mostly Bhagavathi ( the mother goddess) or Naga Devatha ( Spirit of the forest ) or Shasthappan ( the Hunter God ). Theyyam, the mystical and oracular trance dance was always performed in such sacred groves. Many Sarpa Kavus continue to be maintained well inspite of huge shrines coming up . But many small private holdings have vanished. The Kerala Forest Department ( Social Forestry Wing) has developed modules to conserve neglected sacred groves by encouraging citizen participation.
DEVRAIs or DEVRAHATIs of Maharashtra /Konkan , are considered the abode of Gods. It is thanks to tribal communities that these groves have come down to us from ancient times, mostly unharmed . But, pressures of urbanisation are bent upon ringing in death for them. A few volunatary groups have been trying to spread awareness about their importance and the need for conservation.
GOMPA FORESTS : Gompas are Buddhist campuses for Learning , meditation and worship. It is common for Gompas to be in secluded places which provide the serene environment necessary for their functioning. Having protected woods arond Gompas has been a longstanding tradition. The Sacred Gompa Forests are held in great reverence as “natural teachers”.
SNIPPETS :
The 800 year old NALLUR TOPU ,near Bengaluru, is a sacred grove with aged tamarind trees of many varieties. With two temples . Today it is maintained as a Biodiversity HotSpot. (above pic)
Tree Worship is practised in Jharkhand . Sacred Groves here are called : SARNA
As many as 40 Sacred Groves ( Madaico) have been identified across Assam . Tribal groups like Bodos, Dimsa and the Rabha have a tradition of worshipping forests .
A ritual of Tree Weddings is observed in certain pockets of South India. A Peepal and a Neem, when found growing close together, are taken as a blessing and are wedded in a grand ceremony. They are then protected and allowed to grow intertwined. When fully grown, their shade becomes the village plaza where all community gatherings take place . They attain divine status.
No comments:
Post a Comment