Sarna Dharma, religion of sacred woods, helps protect and preserve natural woodlands, areas and forces of nature preserved as the abode of village devatas, who protect the flora, fauna and people. The village deity is known as Gaon Khunt, gram devata, Marang Buru and Singbonga, depending on the tribe that is propitiating the goddess. All indigenous peoples revere and propitiate the Mother Goddess as Dharti Ayo and Chalapachcho Devi, referring to the earth and nature, as goddess.
In Chota Nagpur, Sal tree groves are treated as sacred groves, called Jaher Than or Jaher Ghar. Sacred worship is carried out by the community, with participation of village priests, pujaris and devotees. The sacred grove could also include other trees like mahua, neem and banyan trees.
During the festival of Sarhul, ancestor worship, pots filled with water are brought to the Sarna, along with offerings of the Sakua flower and leaves. If the level in the water pots falls, it is believed that the monsoon will fail. If the water level remains the same, it indicates a normal monsoon. India’s first tribal President Droupadi Murmu, a Santali from Mayurbhanj, Odisha, comes from this wonderful faith tradition that conserves and respects nature.
