In Chhindwara village, Ravana idol takes centre stage during Navratri

Bhopal: While most of India worships Goddess Durga during Navratri, villagers in Jamuniya, a tribal-dominated village in Chhindwara district, follow a different tradition — they install and revere an idol of Ravana, whom they call Raven Pen. The practice, rooted in Gond tribal culture, has been observed in the village for over a decade, say locals. Jamuniya, with a population of about 5,000 — nearly half Gond tribals — has multiple households that set up Raven Pen pandals during the nine-day festival. "It has been over 10 years that we have been installing the idol of Raven near our house," said Virendra Sallam, a resident. The pandal is set up close to his home. "And a few houses behind ours, people have been installing the idol for the past 25–30 years. This year, however, there was a death in their family, so they have not put it up," he added. According to 25-year-old Sumit Kumar Sallam, Raven Pen is distinct from the Ravana of popular belief. "In our traditions preserved through Gongo Patha (oral recitations), we worship several deities like Khandrai Pen, Khairo Dai, Meghnad Pen, and Raven Pen. During Navratri, we install Raven's idol, the priest places a Kalash, and we perform sumarni (remembrance) of Bada Dev," he said. After Dussehra, the idol is immersed, like in mainstream rituals. Villagers say the custom is also part of their efforts to revive fading traditions. "Many practices vanished over time, but now we are bringing them back," said Sallam. Sarpanch Suneel Chowdhary acknowledged the diversity of beliefs, while another villager, Rajesh Bhalawi, stressed that the ritual has continued for decades in different parts of the village. Experts however have different opinions. "In our Gond traditions, there are 12 Rao Pens or protectors of the villages or habitations. Of these 12 one is Raven Pen. Now this Raven Pen is being identified with Ravana", an expert said wishing anonymity