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| Last Updated:: 14/07/2023

Sacred Groves in UttaraKhand

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The sacred groves in Uttarakhand are locally known as Deo Bhumi and Bugyal (sacred alpine meadows).

 

126 sacred groves have been documented in the state. Chandrabadni Devi, Hariyali Devi, Kotgadi Ki Kokila Mata, Pravasi Pavasu Devata, Devrada and Saimyar are the deities to whom these groves are dedicated.

 

Turnip-root chervil, Himalayan cedar, Sanjeevani, Indian Barberry, Himalayan firethorn and Indian valerian are among the most commonly found plant species in the sacred groves.

 

The sacred groves of Uttarakhand serve as a gene pool and are a source of rich plant diversity.  Ritual and traditional practices in sacred groves play a crucial role in fostering threatened species such as the Griffon vulture (Gyps himalayensis).

 

 

 

 

 

(Source: http://www.99uttarakhand.in/ali-bedni-bugyal.php)

 

 

 

 


  List of Sacred Groves in UttaraKhand

 

 

Si.No

District

Location

Name of the Deity

Name of the Grove (Surrounding forest)

Area (ha.)

 

Almora

 

 

 

 

1

 

Chamarkhan

Golu Devta

Chir pine

(Pinus roxburghii)

<0.5 ha

2

 

Chitai

 

Chir pine

(Pinus roxburghii)

0.5 ha

3

 

Gairar

 

Chir pine

(Pinus roxburghii)

<0.5 ha

4

Nainital

Ghorakhal

 

Banj oak

(Quercus leucotrichophora)

0.5 ha

 

Chamoli

 

5

 

Badheth

 

Ghanteyal ki cheevi, Devika mandi

500.00

6

 

Majyanitalli

 

Ghandiyal Devataka van

0.50

7

 

Mana

 

Laxmivan, Nandaaur Ghantakaran Ki Phulwari

500.00

8

 

Mana

 

Nanda Aur Ghantakaran Ki Phulwari, Laxmivan

2.50

9

 

Anusuya

 

Amdar Ki Kyor, Surai Ka Ped, Panyaltha Jalsort

1250.00

10

 

Thaing

 

Fulana (Chinap Sink Bugyal), Jaladhara, Mandir Ke Ped

250.00

11

 

Bhundar

 

Nanda Ki Phulwari, Bugyal, Mandir Ke Ped

3.00

12

 

Bhundar

 

Bugyal, Nanda Kir Phulwari, Mandir Ke Ped

Not Known

13

 

Irani

 

Thai

250.00

14

 

Irani

 

Sivalaika Jungle

2.00

15

 

Irani

 

Bhagwatika Jungle

3.00

16

 

Irani

 

Saimyar

0.50

17

 

Madigaon

 

Kotgadi Devi Ke Samrakshit Van

50.00

18

 

Irani

 

Anand Van

2500.00

19

 

Madigaon

 

Kotgadi Ki Kokila Mata Ka Sthan

1.00

20

 

Deuti

 

Pravasi Pavasu Devata

500.00

21

 

Koti

 

Devrada

250.00

 

Pithoragarh

 

22

 

8 kms from Pithoragarh

 

Thal Ke Dhar

1315.60

23

 

Ganglihat tehsil

Mahakali

Shaktipith

Haat Kali

Not Known

24

 

Berinag tehsil

Kokilamata

Lohathal

80.00

1-4 - Dhaila-Adhikari and Adhikari, 2007, “Veneration of a Deity by restoration of Sacred Grove In a village Minar, Kumaun Region of Uttarakhand: A Case Study”, Journal of American Science, 3(2), Pp. 45-49, 2007.

 

5-21 - Data source: Dr. S.S. Samant, Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, GBPIHED, Almora

 

22-24-http://www.kalpavriksh.org/images/CCA/Directory/Uttarakhand_CaseStudy_Lohathalsacredgrove

 

Si.no

 Name of the Sacred Grove

 Local Community

Locality

1

Dhwaj

Kapri

NearTotanula about 10km from

Pithoragarh district

2

HaatKali

Rawal

Near Gangolihat Tehsil 75km from Pithoragarh district

3

Hokra

Bisht,Mehra

Near Tejam, Nachani

4

MalayNath

Chupal, Bora

Near Sherakot, Didihat

5

Nakuleshwar

Raji

Near Etgoan Shilling village 10km from Pithoragarh town

6

NarayanSwamiAshram

Bhotia, Raji,Boxa

Near Sesavillage, Tawaghat, Dharchula

7

PatalBhuveshwar

Rawal,Guro, Bhandari, Bora

Berinag  Tehsil, near Gangolihat

 

 

Harsh Sing, Tariq Husain  Priyanka Agnihotri  P.C.Pande  SayyadaKhatoon , 2014, “An Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants used in Sacred Groves of  Kumaon Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India, Journal ofEthnopharmacology, 154(2014)98–108