Kovil Kadu at Puthupet (Tamilnadu)

Kavu at Haripad
(Kerala)

Sacred groves comprise of patches of forests or natural vegetation – from a few trees to forests of several acres – that are usually dedicated to local folk deities (Example – Ayyanar and Amman) or tree spirits (Vanadevatais). These spaces are protected by local communities because of their religious beliefs and traditional rituals that run through several generations.

The degree of sanctity of the sacred forests varies from one grove to another. In some forests even the dry foliage and fallen fruits are not touched. People believe that any kind of disturbance will offend the local deity, causing diseases, natural calamities or failure of crops. For example, the Garo and the Khasi tribes of northeastern India completely prohibit any human interference in the sacred groves. In other groves, deadwood or dried leaves may be picked up, but the live tree or its branches are never cut. For example, the Gonds of central India prohibit the cutting of a tree but allow fallen parts to be used.

classification of sacred groves

The sacred groves found in India can basically be classified under three categories (based on analysis of studies on sacred groves):

  • Traditional Sacred Groves – It is the place where the village deity resides, who is represented by an elementary symbol
  • Temple Groves – Here a grove is created around a temple and conserved.
  • Groves around the burial or cremation grounds.

(Source: Impact of Globalisation on culture of Sacred Groves by Amitabh Pandey & P. Venkata Rao)

ecological significance

  • Conservation of Biodiversity – The sacred groves are important repositories of floral and faunal diversity that have been conserved by local communities in a sustainable manner. They are often the last refuge of endemic species in the geographical region.
  • Recharge of aquifers – The groves are often associated with ponds, streams or springs, which help meet the water requirements of the local people. The vegetative cover also helps in the recharging the aquifers.
  • Soil conservation – The vegetation cover of the sacred groves improves the soil stability of the area and also prevents soil erosion.

distribution of sacred groves in india

In India, the sacred groves are found all over the country and abundantly along the western ghats in the states of Kerala and Karnataka. Although, there has been no comprehensive study on the sacred groves of the entire country, approximately 13,270 sacred groves have been documented so far. Experts estimate the actual number could be in the range of 100,000 – 150,000.

(Source: “Cultural and Ecological Dimensions of Sacred Groves in India” by Malhotra, K.C., Gokhale, Y., and Chatterjee, S., 1998)

distribution of sacred groves in india

The threats vary from one region to the other and even from one grove to the other. But the common threats identified are:

  • Disappearance of the traditional belief systems, which were fundamental to the concept of sacred groves. These systems and their rituals are now considered mere superstition.
  • Sacred groves in many parts of our country have been destroyed due to rapid urbanization and developmental interventions such as roads, railways tracks, dams including commercial forestry. Encroachment has led to the shrinkage of some of the largest groves in the country.
  • Many groves are suffering due to ‘Sanskritisation’ or the transformation of the primitive forms of nature worship into formal temple worship.
  • Invasion by exotic weeds such as Eupatorium odoratum, Lantana camara and Prosopis juliflora is a serious threat to some groves.
  • Pressures due to increasing livestock and fuelwood collection.
S.No               State Local term for    Sacred Forests No.of documented Sacred Forests
1. Andhra Pradesh Pavithravana 728
2. Arunachal Pradesh Gumpa Forests 159
3. Assam Sacred Grove 29
4. Bihar Sarhuli Mander 43
5. Chhattisgarh Matagudi 77
6. Goa Deorai, Pann 93
7. Gujarat Sabarkantha, Dahod,Banaskantha 42
8. Haryana Gurudwara grove 57
9. Himachal Pradesh Kul Deveta 329
10. Jammu & Kashmir Bani 92
11. Jharkhand Sarana/Jaherthan 29
12. Karnataka Devara Vana, Devara Kadu, Huli devarakadu, Nagavan, Bhatappavana, Jatakappan bana, Ghowdibana, Kan 1476
13. Kerala Kavu, Sarp Kavu 1096
14. Madhya Pradesh Sharana,Devkot, Matikot, Devsthali, Budhadev 170
15. Maharashtra Pavithravan, Deovan, Deorai, Devgudi, Pen Gada / Gonds, Devarahati 2820
16. Manipur Gamkhap, Mauhak ( sacred bamboo reserves) 166
17. Meghalaya Ki Law Lyngdoh, Ki Law Kyntang, Ki Law Niam 105
18. Odisha Jahera, Thakuramma 188
19. Puducherry Kovil Kadu 108
20. Rajasthan Vani, Malvan, Kenkri, Orans, Shamlat deh, Devabani, Jogmaya 588
21. Sikkim Pandam 16
22. Tamil Nadu Swami Shola, Koil Kadu, Katttu Koil, Vanakkoil 1275
23. Telangana Pavithravana 57
24. UttaraKhand Deo Bhumi, Bugyal (sacred alpine meadows) 133
25. Uttar Pradesh Dev van,Pavithravan 32
26. West Bengal Gramthan, Santalburitan Shitalatan, Haritan Sabitritan, Jahera, Deo Tasara, Mawmund 562