Abstract

Acursory observation of the religious traditions of the tribes of Chhattisgarh, particularly in the Bastar region of the state would draw attention to the presence of a combination of traditional and Hindu features. Such an intermixture has been taking place from historical times in response to tribes’ close contact with the Hindus. Traditionally, in this region, tribes believe in Gods and goddesses and the practice of witchcraft. They have their places of worship, considered very sacred, and they worship these Gods and Goddesses in various forms and places. One of the sacred places in the villages of the tribes is called Devgudi and in some regions as Matagudi and Gaondevi. In Devgudi the presiding deity of the village is enshrined. Other associate deities like Higanlajan Mata, Pardeshi Mata, Guje Dokri, Dongri Mata, Bhandarin Mata, Jalni Mata, Jharandpurin Mata, Aanga Devbelonging to their belief system are also worshiped in the shrine. In most of the Devgudi Iconographies represent Deities /Gods and Goddesses; any rough stone, wood, iron, a piece of any other metal, or any object like conch, cowry or bell are worshipped in these shrines. Traditional faith, beliefs and practices have responded to several forces of change over the years. Nevertheless, Devgudiin each village shows continuity of its religious significance in the belief system of the tribes even in the present time. In view of this, the paper is designed to study structural and functional elements of village Devgudi .

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• 2.   It is believed that Kaudo along with his female counterpart Keina, lives in all permanent water sources/bodies located in the village territory or in the forests. If there is not any permanent water source/body in a village, it means Kauda does not exist in that village.
• 3.   Thesevensisters areMawaliDevi,MaaDanteswari, Sitala mata, Hinglajin mata, Pardesini mata, KatgudinmataandKategudinmata.In recentyears it is interpreted that Goddess Danteswari has 32 names and is worshipped in different Devgudis in one or the other name. Popular among them are Danteshwari, Kotgudin, Pendrawadin, Kankalin, Pardesin, Mawali, Bijilikarin, Sitala, Jalnibudi, Dayamule, Gangadayi, Kesarpalin, Hingalajin, Dabagosin, Dulardeyi, Rewagdin, Hirmadai, Kolakaamini, Ganganadai, Paatakadai, Peeladai, Ghaasbedindai and Semariya
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