Sacred Groves in Jharkhand
Sacred grove at Bhandro, Bokaro district, Jharkhand
The tribals of Jharkhand worship their sacred groves which are known as Sarnas. 29 sacred groves have been documented in the state.
A Sarna is a cluster of trees where the adivasis worship on various occasions. Such a grove (among many others) must have at least five Sal (shorea robusta) trees (also known as sorjum), held very sacred by the tribals.
Praying the nature by singing song for flowering – Tusu geet
Non-tribal Hindus also worship in such Sarnas in many villages of Jharkhand. They call them Mandar.
Indian black plum, Indian plum, White marudah, Tulasi, Indian gooseberry, Neem, Mango, Malabar nut, Thorn apple, Sal and Champak are among the most commonly found plant species in the sacred groves.
The sarhul festival is celebrated in the sarhul sarana when the sal trees start flowering.
(Map courtesy: http://www.india.gov.in/maps/)
List of Sacred Groves in Jharkhand
| Sl.No. | Sacred Grove Name | Sacred Grove Location | Area (Hectares) |
| District – Palamu | |||
| 1 | Sarhuli Mander | Bariband | 2.00 |
| 2 | Sarhuli Mander | Kabri | 1.00 |
| 3 | Sarhuli Mander | Danarchampar | 2.50 |
| 4 | Sarhuli Mander | Mahandbar | 1.50 |
| 5 | Sarhuli Mander | Chiraiah | 3.00 |
| 6 | Sarhuli Mander | Champi | 2.00 |
| 7 | Sarhuli Mander | Simakhas | 1.50 |
| 8 | Sarhuli Mander | Korwtola | 2.30 |
| 9 | Sarhuli Mander | Lat | 1.20 |
| 10 | Sarhuli Mander | Bandhuwa Karchha Gothaga | 2.00 |
| 11 | Sarhuli Mander | Rol | 1.00 |
| 12 | Sarhuli Mander | Sonwar Tola | 1.50 |
| 13 | Sarhuli Mander | Ghasegara | 3.00 |
| 14 | Sarhuli Mander | Mkanpur | 3.50 |
| 15 | Sarhuli Mander | Baghmrawa | 2.50 |
| 16 | Sarhuli Mander | Ghansee Tola | 1.30 |
| 17 | Sarhuli Mander | Chhanchu | 2.00 |
| 18 | Sarhuli Mander | Pathratu | 3.50 |
| 19 | Sarhuli Mander | Cheerodih | 3.00 |
| 20 | Sarhuli Mander | Bahertola | 1.50 |
| 21 | Sarhuli Mander | Hanthtola | 2.00 |
| 22 | Sarhuli Mander | Kotam | 1.00 |
| 23 | Sarhuli Mander | Siram | 1.50 |
| 24 | Sarhuli Mander | Hendehas | 1.00 |
| 25 | Sarhuli Mander | Baigatola | 2.00 |
| 26 | Sarhuli Mander | Jangharia | 1.50 |
| 27 | Sarhuli Mander | Salwe | 3.00 |
| 28 | Sarhuli Mander | Surkunni | 2.00 |
| 29 | Sarhuli Mander | Maromar | 3.00 |