The Sahariya’s Religion and Practices

Traditionally, the Sahariya have their own deities whom they worship and hold them with deep reverence. In the course of their exposure to other non-tribal communities, the wor­shipping of other folk deities is also seen in their religious practices.

19.2.1 The Place of Worship: ‘Chabootre’ and Temple

During fieldwork, the author observed chabootre and small temples as the most prominent worship places. Chabootra is a colloquial term, used for a rectangular or square platform raised at some height from the ground level, made up of stone, lime, raw material, and is painted with ochre or limestone colour. A vertical stone, either in natural form or painted with vermilion, is erected in the centre of this chabootra and symbolises a particular deity. If there is any tree present at a shrine, the Sahariya people consider it very sacred; hence, they do not cut it. On the occasion of Saptami¹ in the month of Bhadrapada², all the deities are worshipped with great joy and enthusiasm by the people of tribal community. It is called Badi Saptmi or Mai Saaten.

The Sahariya villages also consist of small temples, ‘the shrines’ to appease their deities. Here, the priest is known as bhopa. He is one who acts like a bridge between the natural and supernatural world. Some of them, not all, can go into a trance and help the people to overcome their problems by seeking the advice and directions of the deity. The position of bhopa commands great respect on the part of the community people. He wears an orna­ment made of gold or silver, called patdi, around the neck and silver bracelet in his hand as a sign of that particular deity. Generally, it is the male member that acts as a bhopa.

19.2.2 Deities Worshipped by the Sahariya

The Sahariya worship their own deities such as Valmiki ji Maharaj, Thakur baba, Moti Maharaj, Mehttar Baba, Merani Mata, Ashmani Mata, Nagarkot Mata, Pret Baba, Kul Devi; folk deities like Tejaji, Hiraman Baba, Ramdeora ji, Gogaji, Devnarayan ji, and Hindu gods and goddesses.

The following are the detailed descriptions of their deities whom they worship from time to time:

19.2.2.1 Valmiki Maharaj

The Sahariya show deep gratitude and reverence towards sage Valmiki who belongs to the epic Ramayana. Goddess Sita who was the consort of Lord Rama, was exiled to Valmiki’s ashram. The tribal people worship him to seek his guidance in their social and economic mat­ters. According to the Sahariya people, goddess Sita stayed here in the Valmiki Ashram. It is now also known as Valmiki temple situated at Sitabari in Baran district. A huge fair is organ­ised here every year in the month of June for a fortnight. This fair is very significant for the Sahariya community that it is known as ‘Kumbh of the Sahariya’ (Kumbh mela is a religious festival of Hindus that belong to the Great tradition). At this time the Sahariya also organise the meeting of badi-jati panchayat i.e., regional tribal council in the Valmiki ashram.

19.2.2.2 Thakur Baba

Originally, the community had been a forest dweller for a very long time. So, they wor­shipped Thakur baba, whose abode is believed to be in the forest, to get relief from any kind of physical, mental, and economic problems. Every family or clan of the Sahariya may have its own Thakur Baba. Whenever any of their wishes get fulfilled, they worship this deity. Even today its abode is said to be in the forest. A statue made of stone is often placed in the temple. This deity is usually worshipped on the 11th day or on Amavasya (new moon day). They offer coconut, dry fruits, and incense sticks to the deity. Before going outside the village, they always seek the blessings of Thakur Baba. When the Sahariya came in contact with other communities, especially whom they felt superior to in social status, they started adopting and propitiating other folk deities of the region such as Teja ji Maharaj, Bhairav ji, and Ramdeora ji to get rid of the problems.

19.2.2.3 Moti Maharaj

Moti Maharaj is especially worshiped to get rid of problems like typhoid, jaundice, and other diseases. For the treatment, a thread is tied around the hand or neck which is called as bandha to seek the blessings of the deity. They offer coconut, rewari (made of jaggery), and kheer (made of milk and rice) occasionally.

19.2.2.4 Mehttar Baba

Mehttar Baba is worshipped in the Sahariya community especially to get rid of ghosts, vampires, and malevolent spirits. A kind of local liquor is made by this community, which they call ‘Panchpayala’ (the colour of this liquor is black). This local liquor is offered to the deity to placate it and is consumed by the devotees as prasad (sacred food).

19.2.2.5 Merani Mata

Merani Mata is worshipped by the Sahariya community to get rid of the problems caused by the malevolent spirit. Normally, the deity is worshipped when the cases turn serious. After interaction with some of the Sahariyas, it is found that when an individual is possessed by some evil spirit, bhopa advises them to sacrifice a cock in order to appease the deity.

19.2.2.6 Ashmani Mata

Ashmani Mata is especially worshipped in the month of Ashwin³. The Sahariya worship this deity as prevention against any kind of disease.

19.2.2.7 Nagarkot Mata

The temple of Nagarkot Mata in situated on a hillock in Shahabad district. This deity is worshipped during Navratra (Navratri is a Hindu festival that is celebrated for nine days every year in the months of October or November by all of the communities in this area). It is believed that Nagarkot Mata protects all people and their villages from unforeseen prob­lems. There is also a tradition of sacrificing a he-goat to Nagarkot Mata in their community. An oral story about Nagarkot Mata prevails in this region that around 15th century there was a king called Mukutmani, who brought this deity from the forest to the plains after worshipping her very hard.

19.2.2.8 Kul Devi

Belief in and worship of Kul Devi is also very popular in the Sahariya community. Every family has its own Kul Devi such as Kali Mata, Beejasan Mata, etc. The Sahariya also sac­rifice the he-goat occasionally to appease Kul Devi. After marriage, the newlywed couple among the Sahariya visit the shrine of their respective Kul Devi for a successful married life and blessings of children.

19.2.2.9 Pret Baba

It was reported that every family has its own Pret Baba. No chabootra or shrine is found in public places in the name of this deity. A family’s mental, physical, and financial prosperity depends largely on appeasement of Pret Baba. It was reported during field study that the Baba generally demands for a place either in agriculture field or in the house by appearing in dreams or when a family member goes into a trance. Since they hardly have any agricul­tural field now, Pret Baba often finds place inside the home.

19.2.2.10 Pitr (Ancestor Spirits)

The tribal people also believe in the existence of the spirits of their dead known as Pitr. At times, a stone is erected in the name of their Pitr near the house like other communities. They do so for the welfare of their family and for the peace of their dead. The community also goes to Gaya (Bihar) to carry out certain shradha (a ritual) for the dead.

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