Sacred groove of Kerela is now online

Under the online exhibition series of Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS), today - a sacred grove from Kerala Exhibition of IGRMS has been presented online with its basic information and photographs and videos.
‘Kaavu’ are numerous throughout the length and breadth of Kerala. These sacred groves perform a unique role in bio-diversity management in Kerala.There are over 2000 well preserved sacred groves, managed by private individuals and Devaswami Trusts. Many myths, legends and faiths are associated with the sacred groves of Kerala. ‘Ayyappan Kaavu’, the sacred groves dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, used to be the most common ‘in Kerala in the past. The sacred groves in North Kerala are mostly associated with goddesses or ancestral spirits like Amma, Ayalakshi, Ayiravalli, Bhagavati, Durga, Mahishasur Mardini, Vana Durga, Vanadevatha, Marutha, Madan, Yakshi, Gandharvan, Yogeswaran, Muthappan etc., while in south Kerala, these are generally associated with snake worship like Nagam, Nagaraja, Nagini, Sarpam.
Dr. Praveen Kumar Mishra, Director, IGRMS said that, Sacred Grove is a group of trees of the same species or of several species, which is dedicated by the local communities to their deities and ancestors. Cutting trees or using other vegetation from these forests is completely prohibited. Also, the animals living in them are not harmed. IGRMS has been displaying and preserving bio-cultural features of folk and tribal communities since its inception. In the same sequence, the museum has established selected sacred groves from various areas of the country as a Sacred Grove Open air exhibition in its premises.
Pavithra Vanam’/‘Kaavu’ was installed along with a prototype of the Nagathara shrine in the open air exhibition area of this museum on 26 of September, 1999, in collaboration with of . On this occasion, rare tree saplings associated with this sacred grove were also planted with great care.