Religious Beliefs Plants of District Anuppur, Madhya Pradesh India

American Journal of Ethnomedicine, 2015, Vol. 2, No. 2 ISSN: 2348-9502 Available online at http://www.ajethno.com © American Journal of Ethnomedicine

Indigenous Knowledge of Traditional Magico- religious Beliefs Plants of District Anuppur, Madhya Pradesh India

Ramesh Kumar Ahirwar*

Department of Botany, Govt. College Birsinghpur Pali, District- Umaria-484551, (Madhya Pradesh) India

*Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

The present paper highlights some Traditional Magico-religious beliefs. They believe that some Gods and deities reside in forests. So they conserve some Plant species due to the Traditional Magico-religious Plants species attached resulting in some Patches of forest being conserved. The paper deals with Traditional Magico-religious beliefs Plants of the district Anuppur Tribals of Madhya Pradesh fascinating natural forest conservation.

Keywords- Tribes, Magico-religious, Traditional, Forest conservation.

INTRODUCTION is called Plateau of Beghel- Khand and due to very rich diverse flora, of district District Anuppur is one of the Anuppur Madhya Pradesh, Central India1. important district of Madhya Pradesh. This (Figure 1-2). district is located in the central part of India. It is lying between 23˚15’ to 24˚N Latitude MATERIAL AND METHODS and 81˚0’ to 81˚45’E longitude. The total area of 3701 Sq. Km extends 80 Km. from The study was conducted one year in east to west and 70 Km. from North to prescribed standard methodology of South. The district is habited by large Traditional Magico-religious beliefs studies number of Tribals viz. Gond, Baiga, Panika, frequent field visits were regularly Kol, Agaria etc. Who live in the remote conducted throughout the year in the forest areas and present a unique Physical Pusprajgarh (Rajendragram) block Tribal rainfall of 244.68mm and on the whole areas of the District2. The Plants were district has a salubrious climate. District collected with the help of standard flora and Anuppur is surrounded by Korea district other local People. Religious or (C.G.) in east, Shahdol & Umaria district in methological beliefs of people about super west, Shahdol district in north and Dindori, natural or magical properties and powers Bilaspur (C.G.) district in the south area. It and about certain events and objects is

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known as Traditional Magico-religious dried seeds of Plant and a little bit consumed beliefs and a religious interdict forbidden by as grace. custom or on moral or religious grounds is 8. Dendrocalamus strictus Nees. (Poaceae), called Taboo3. The area has been reported ‘Baans’. Two ships of immature culms are for Ethnobotanical Studies interest1,4,6,8. placed in a cross between a young boy and a Some Traditional Magico-religious girl at the time of their marriage. It is beliefs plants alphabetically,Family name through to be efficient in ending the and Local name enumerated below are separation phase before marriage. conserved by Anuppur district Tribals along 9. Ficus racemosa L. (Moraceae), ‘Dumer’. with reasons for their conservation5.(Figure It is believed that the flowers, have the 3-4). capacity to make anything, eternal.

1. Aegle marmelos, Corr. (Rutaceae). ‘Bel’. 10. Ficus religiosa L. (Moraceae), ‘Peepal’. It Leaves are used to worship Gods. Fruits is believed that this tree is an abode of Gods used to worship Lord Shiva. and departed souls. Any harm to this plant 2. Azadirachta indica A. Juss (Meliaceae), results in a catastrophe to the area and the ‘Neem’. This plant is an abode of Goddess offending person. of small-pox. Dried leaves are burnt to kill 11. Madhuca longifolia (J. Koenig) Macbr. mosquitoes. Fruits are used as insect killer in Var. (Sapotaceae), ‘Mahua’. Dried branch granary. Tribals conserve this tree for shade of the tree is used to dispelled bad spirits by and medicinal use. erecting it in front of house. They tie a red 3. Butea monosperma, Lamk. (Fabaceae), flag at top of it. This mast is called ‘Palas’. Leaves of Plant are used to worship ‘Hanumankhamb’. and make crown of Lord Shiva’s idol. 12. Ocimum sanctum L. (Lamiaceae), ‘Tulsi’. Flowers are used to worship and pay floral Plant is considered as a sacred one and is tributes to departed soul. planted is in every Hindu based tribe‘s 4. Calotropis procera R. Br. abode. It is believed that all God and (Asclepiadaceae)’ Aak; ‘Madaar’. Flowers Goddess visit those houses were this plant is of the Plant are used to pay floral tributes to in the courtyard. Lord Shiva. Latex of the Plant are used to 13. Oryza rufipogon Griff. (Poaceae), ‘Pasai- wash Lord Shiva‘s head. dhan’. Grains are considered to be sacred 5. Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. (Cuscutaceae), Grains are coloured with Turmeric powder ‘Amerbel’. People belongings to the on omen reasons and donated to ‘Ojhas’ or ‘Agariya’ tribe worship iron as their god and ‘Guniyas’. worship iron tools. To pay homage to their 14. Solanum surattense Burm. f. (Solanaceae), Gods and to save them from devils (Rusts) ‘Bhatkataiya’. Fruits are crushed by girls tie up twinning stems of plants on tools. for safety of their family members whilst 6. Cynodon dactylon Pers. (Poaceae), praying for them. ‘Doobi’. Grass is used in all religious 15. Shorea robusta Gaertn f. occasions for sprinkling water. It is believed (Dipterocarpaceae) ‘Sarai’. Its whole to have its power to turn simple water in to plants uses of worshiping of God. holy water. It is also used to make 16. Thevetia peruviana (L.) Lippold everything devout by tying the culms on (Apocynaceae), ‘Pili Kaner’. Flowers and upper arm. fruits are offered to Lord Shiva in benison 7. Datura metal L. (Solanaceae), ‘Dhatura’. and bereavement. Fruits and seeds are used to worship Lord Shiva. Fruit paste is mixed with powder of

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