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Jharkhand Sarna Sacred Groves (regional)
Jharkhand (Chotanagpur plateau)
India
Active
Regional cluster
- Location
- Jharkhand (Chotanagpur plateau)
- Coordinates
- ~23.4°N 85.3°E
- Size
- Varies
- Age / Founded
- Ancient (pre-classical, megalithic-associated)
- Status
- Active
- Deity & Religion
- Sarna/Mandar/Gamhel groves; tribal animism (non-Brahmanical)
- Community & Guardians
- Munda, Santal, Oraon, Asur, Ho tribes; non-brahmin priests/shamans (pahan/naya)
- Vernacular name
- Sarna / Jaherthan
- Record type
- Regional cluster
Cultural practices & uses
Grove temples; tree/stone/megalith worship; non-Sanskritic rituals
Plant species
Sal (Shorea robusta) & mixed groves
Biome & fauna
Chotanagpur dry deciduous (sal) forest
Threats & protection
Tribal custodianship; modernization pressure
Source
Das S. 2020, Int. J. Humanities & Arts 2(1):24-28