“Diversity in Unity is the real identity of Bharat and Sanatan Sanskriti. The whole world often discusses unity and diversity. They should witness the Puja (way of worship) of Vanvasi society, who are demonstrating it today at Samalkha, Haryana,” said Dr Mohan Bhagwat, Sarsanghchalak, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, on September 21, 2024, while addressing people from across the country to participate in Akhil Bharatiya Karyakarta Sammelan organised by Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram in Samalkha, Haryana on September 20-22, 2024
While inaugurating the demonstration of diverse ways of worship and rituals at Akhil Bharatiya Karyakarta Sammelan organised by Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram in Samalkha, Haryana on September 20-22, 2024, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat, said, “In the Sanatan way of life, coordination with nature has been established and worshipped since the Sanatan period. If there is diversity in the way of worship, there is also similarity. Our ancestors saw the same consciousness in nature, which already exists within us. Our society, which is a worshiper of the five elements i.e. trees-plants, rivers, forests, land and mountains, has cherished it with its tradition. We have to understand its importance.”
Later, Sarsanghchalak also witnessed the demonstration of diverse ways of worship and rituals by different Vanvasi societies in 80 tents. Many people from outside came to witness this historic moment.
On this occasion, Organiser Weekly talked to some from the Vanvasi Samaj, hailing from different States, to know about their rituals.
Rituals of Bhilala Community
Madan Singh from the Bhilala community explained how Patla Pujan, a ritual dedicated to Bhagwan Indra, is celebrated in the traditional way. He also disclosed that their community refers to Him as Indi Raja.
“This ceremony, held annually on the fifth day of Dasahra’s Purnima, focuses on prayers for health, prosperity, and good harvests. Participants light lamps throughout the night, invite their ancestors, sing praises to Indi Raja, and engage in traditional dance to celebrate the occasion. Later in the morning we do animal sacrifices.”
Varali Janjati
One of the members of Warli Janjati that lives in the Palghar district of Maharashtra, says that his community worships Bhagwan Hirova, who is also the ‘Kul Devata’ of the community. He says that the community does not start anything like marriage or farming without worshipping Him. Even the community offers Him food before consuming anything. The community celebrates the whole month after Diwali in Margashirsha month (Ninth month of Hindu calendar) and worship Bhagwan Hirova.
Iruliga Janjati of Karnataka
The Iruliga Janjati, also known as the Irula people, live in the Nilgiri Mountains of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. One of the members of the community, who was performing Kabbalamma Pooja, said, “There is a mountain in Ramanagara district of Karnataka. It is the belief of Iruliga Janjati that Devi Kabbalamma was born here. So the community worships Maa Kabbalamma here.”
Siddi Janjati of Karnataka
One of the devotees from the Siddi community from Karnartaka, who was performing Nasa Pooja, said every year during Navratri and Pitru Paksh, thousands of people from Siddi community come together to do Nasa Pooja. During this, people dance and eat together.
Lepcha Janjati of Sikkim
A devotee from Lepcha Janjati of Sikkim, who was performing the ritual, described the peculiar way in which they worship Tendong hill. “Every year on August 8, we perform this ritual. Lepcha Janjati are worshippers of mountains including the Himalayas.”
Oraon Janjati of Andaman Nicobar
Olek from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, who is also a member of Oraon Janjati of Andaman Nicobar, said that his community worships Bhagwan Biluku (a form of spider). “This worship we do in the ocean towards December end. At the time of natural calamities, we remember Bhagwan Biluku and pray for the safety and security of our people.”
Barman Kacharis of Meghalaya
Barman Kacharis Janjati, mostly found in Barak Valley, celebrates the Harvest Festival and performs a special ritual. Vijay Barman of the community says that this ritual is performed by the community during the Harvest Festival every January. “Rice powder from every household is brought during this ritual and prepared as prasadam.”
Bodo Janjati of Assam
Bodo community of Assam do Bathou Pooja, which is for preserving the nature and culture of the community. “The main deity for the community is the Siju tree that is a symbol of the supreme God Bathou, or Bathoubwra.”
Bhil Janjati of Devagiri, Maharashtra
During the cultivation of the rice crop, members of the Bhil community from Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra visit Devmogra village in the Narmada district to perform puja of Yaha Mogi Mata. This pilgrimage seeks to get blessings of Mata for a bountiful harvest and make the community prosperous. The puja of Yaha Mogi Mata is a significant cultural and religious event for the Bhil Janjati.
Mizo Janjati of Mizoram
The Mizo community, known for its deep-rooted traditions, recently gathered for a special ritual called Fano Doi, Organised by Nunna Lalhnam, a group dedicated to preserving ancestral customs. this ritual is believed to invoke blessings for a bountiful harvest. Ramsana, a community member, explained that Fano Doi is a time-honored tradition that has been passed down through generations, offering hope for a prosperous agricultural season. This is the belief of Mizo society that by doing this Puja, they get blessings for Hill Jhum cultivation. Earlier Black Hen was used during this ritual.
Jamatia Janjati of Tripura
Shranav Kumar Jamatia says that every month Jamatia community comes together for Suddhikaran and worship Devi Devata for the protection and prosperity. The community worships Chandra Dev (Moon), Suryadeva (Sun), Maa Ganga and Maa Laxmi.
Nyishi Janjati of Arunachal Pradesh
The Nyishi are the largest ethnic group in Arunachal Pradesh, with its special connection with nature. Pappulambu from the community says that they celebrate Nyokum Festival which is celebrated from February 22 to February 26. He says Nyo means ‘Mother Earth’ and Kum means ‘group’. According to Pappulambu the main deity of the community is Bhagwan Surya.
Tarao Janjati of Manipur
Tarao Janjati is found in Manipur, who are known for their unique cultural heritage. The Tarao are mainly found in the hills of Chandel district and in one village in Ukhrul district. The villages they live in include Bukthrol, Leishokching, Khuringmul, Heikakpokpi, and Sanaphai. Prabash from the community says that Tarao Janjati of Manipur worships Maa Shankulai Devi.
Rongmei Janjati of Manipur
The Rongmei Janjati is an indigenous tribe in North East that practices the Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak (TRC)
Dimasa Janjati of Nagaland
The Dimasa Janjati reside in the border regions of Assam and Nagaland, and are known for their rich culture and their spirituality. One of its members, while talking about the ritual, says that “Sibrai” Puja is for the Bhagwan Shiva.
Koach Janjati of Meghalaya
Koach Janjati of Meghalaya organised Pabuni Puja. According to them, Pabuni is believed to be the source of the sun, moon, rain, and wind. One of the community members says that Pabuni Pooja is organised in the Pahela Bashakh in the month of April. During this Puja, Maa Sitala and Maa Laxmi are also worshipped.
Konda Reddy Janjati, Andhra Pradesh
Konda Reddy Janjati is mainly found in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Tamil Nadu. The community predominantly lives in the Khammam district, with a smaller number in the Alluri Sitharama Raju and Eluru districts. One of its members, Shrisukulu, (who says his name refers to Bhagwan Shukhdev, son of Bhagwan Vyas) while talking to Organiser about their rituals says, “In Andhra Pradesh we do worship of Konda Reddy, Kod Raju (brother of Maa Parwati). This puja is organised for a month. During this ritual, we invite Pitru Dev and ancestors. The whole village participates in this ritual.”
Oraon Janjati of Chhattisgarh
Notably, on September 20, 2024, the three-day workers conference organised by the Akhil Bhartiye Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram (ABVKA) was inaugurated at Seva Sadhana and Gram Vikas Kendra, Samalkha, Haryana by the famous Bhagwat Kathakar of Gujarat, Ramesh Bhai Ojha. On this occasion, Ramesh Bhai, while addressing the representatives, called up upon saints to reach out to the interior of forests regions and interact with communities with storytelling, i.e. kathas-pravachan. He cautioned, that if it is not done, someone else will reach there and the situation will result in conversion, and this situation challenges the national integrity.
He also said that life should be lived in partnership. There are three messages in Bhagwat – how should humans behave with other human beings, how should he behave with the entire universe and with nature. These three actions take the yagya of man to heights which are helpful in the welfare of the society and nation building. In the beginning of the conference, the Janjati women from Sikkim presented the Buddha prayer.
Also present on the occasion were Ramdatt, Sah -Sarkaryavah, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Antar Singh Arya, President, National Tribal Commission, Smt. Urmila Bharti, Tribal Advisory Committee Member, Madhya Pradesh, Satyendra Singh, President, Akhil Bhartiye Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram (ABVKA), Hira Kumar Nagu, Vice President, ABVKA, Techi Gubin, Vice President, ABVKA, Yogesh Bapat, General Secretary, ABVKA, Atul Jog, National Sangthan Mantri, ABVKA, and Rambabu Singhal, President, Kalyan Ashram Haryana.
Sharing the stage on the occasion of inauguration, RSS Sah -Sarkaryavah Ramdatt said that after 3 years, Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram is going to complete 75 years, all of us workers should take a resolution from here that we should expand our work among those tribes where we do not have any work.
“Rani Durgawati – Nari Shakti ki Anokhi Misaal”
The nation is commemorating the 500th birth anniversary of Rani Durgawati who stood against the might of the Mughal Empire. A book titled “Rani Durgawati – Nari Shakti ki Anokhi Misaal” around the life and sacrifice of the brave queen and scion of the famous Chandela dynasty of Mahoba, and queen of the Gond kingdom of Garha-Katanga was also unveiled on September 21.
Published by renowned publishing house Prabhat Prakashan, the book was launched during the conference of the ongoing event. Authored by Dr. Rekha Nagar and Dr. Madan Singh Waskel, the book narrates at length her life detailing her apt administrative skills and her courageously stand against the might of the Mughal Empire. Coincidentally, on October 5th the nation is commemorating the 500th birth anniversary of Rani Durgawati.
This book was one of the 14 books written on various freedom fighters from Janjatiya communities across the country that were unveiled during this national level conference. Some of these included Janjati ki Shrishti Katha authored by Dr. Raj Kishore Hansda and Genoside of Indigenous People by Vivekanand Nartam from Shyam Lal College of Delhi University. A large number of attendees were seen buying books at the specially created ‘Book Stall.’
Atul Jog, All India Organising Secretary, ABVKA called upon to celebrate the 500th birth Anniversary of Rani Durgawat on 5th October and the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda on Janjatiye Gaurav Diwas on 15th November in a big way across the country.
Time to set our own narrative
On September 22, the last day of the conference, the national president of the Akhil Bhartiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram (ABVKA), Satyendra Singh called upon the Janjatiya communities across the country to set up its own narrative that Aranya Sanskrity (forest culture) is the core culture of the community. He also cautioned the community against the divisive forces, which were trying to create divide.
The ABVKA president said that the Janjatiya society is the pillar of the huge Sanatani society. “All of us have our roots in the forests. The Vanvasi society has also played an important role in creating the ancient Vedas. The festivals and worship methods of all the Janjatiya societies are similar to the Sanatani tradition, the meaning of which is the same.”
He said that the conspiracy to separation is the gift of the Britishers who distorted history and created it through books. The Janjati society is not of a hoarding nature, it takes only as much from nature as it needs, it is the duty of all of us to save the existence of such a Janjati society. Our discussions should be established to save the society from the misleading discussions that are spreading confusion in the society at present.
Dr Rajkishore Hansda from Santhal Paragana region who spoke on the rising menace of “Love Jehad” and “Land Jehad” in the Janjati region.
Dr Thumbai Zeliang from Nagaland touched upon the issue of Janjati members who had converted to Christian religion, and were returning to their original faith.
Ramnath Kashyap from Chhattisgarh narrated the effect of Maoism in the Bastar region where he said the fundamental rights of the Janjati community were being compromised.
While addressing the representatives on the culminating day, RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr Bahgwat said that keeping in mind the given situation, they should expedite the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram’s work across the nation. RSS Sarsanghchalak said that one should not be afraid of the problems, as every problem offered a solution to the same problem.
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