Sacred Groves in Karnataka

The most notable community conserved areas of Karnataka are its sacred groves. They vary in terms of size, ownership patterns and also with respect to the vegetation. The groves in the state broadly come under two classes: Smaller groves or Kans that are entirely protected; Larger groves or Devarkadu/Devarkan, which also function as resource forests, offering both sustenance and ecological security.

1476 sacred groves have been documented in the state. Jatakappa, Bhutappa and Choudamma, Mailara, Bhairava and Govardhan are some of the deities to whom these groves are dedicated.

Crab’s eye, Sage leaved Alangium, Neem, Pipal, Pithraj tree and Powder-puff are among the most commonly found plant species in the sacred groves. These sacred groves are rich in biodiversity due to their unique ownership and management traditions. A unique feature is the offering of terracotta hounds in the groves of Kodagu.

(Map courtesy: http://www.india.gov.in/maps/)

List of Sacred Groves in Karnataka

(Sources: Sacred Groves and Sacred Trees of Uttara Kannada by M.D. Subash Chandran & Madhav Gadgil)

Provisional list of Devarakadus of Madikeri Forest Division, Karnataka Forest Department, Madikeri. (Our Sincere gratitude to Dr. C.G. Kushalappa for providing us with the data)

Source: Chandran MDS, Gadgil M (1998), Sacred Groves and Sacred Trees of Uttara Kannada Inn: Saraswati B(ed) Lifestyle and Ecology, Indira Gandhi Natural centre of Arts, New Delhi, pp: 85-138.