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Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge
Vol. 8(2), April 2009, pp. 154-162
Floristic composition and practices on the selected sacred groves of
Pallapatty village (Reserved forest), Tamil Nadu
Ganesan S*, Ponnuchamy M, Kesavan L & Selvaraj A,
Centre for Research and PG Department of Botany, Thiagarajar College (Autonomous), Madurai 625 009, Tamil Nadu
E-mail: sganesan76@yahoo.com
Received 10 August 2006; revised 19 December 2007
Field studies on floristic composition and ethnobotanical practices of the sacred groves of in and around Pallapatty
village, Madurai district of Tamil Nadu were undertaken. A total of 133 plant species belonging to 113 genera distributed
among 51 families were recorded. The mode of mythical and therapeutic uses and conservation practices of these plants by
the local people has been discussed.
Keywords: Floristic composition, Ethnobotany, Sacred groves, Conservation, Tamil Nadu
IPC Int. Cl.8: A61K36/00, A61P1/02, A61P1/08, A61P1/10, A61P1/14, A61P1/16, A61P5/00, A61P9/14, A61P11/00,
A61P19/00, A61P27/16, A61P29/00, A61P39/02
India is a land of rich biodiversity in which 2 out of
the 25 biodiversity hot spots of the world exist.
Biodiversity in India particularly is important for its
religious, spiritual and other traditional uses. Many
plants and animals have significance and are
considered sacred on account of their association with
different deities. In India, conservation of plants and
animals by the indigenous people is very common.
They believe trees are the place of Gods. Sacred
groves are the example of this conservation. These are
the locked information sites, about secret of herbs and
their medicinal uses by their forefathers as traditional
medicine and how the herbs used by sorcery for
removing spirit as well as specter (ghost). It provides
the information about the primitive life form and
condition of religious taboo1. These are the
repositories of rare and endemic species, and can be
regarded as the remnant of the primary forest left,
untouched by the local inhabitants due to the belief
that deities reside in these forests2. How conservation
of biodiversity through religious belief started in India
is unknown. During the period of Rigveda (about
3,000-2,500 BC), people were preserving plants in
temples. They were spreading the message of grow
more trees3. The methodology involved in tracing the
conservation strategies of forests in sacred groves
were described4. Emphasis was given to ethno-
botanical aspects of conservation and management of
plant resource. These include studies on preservation
of forest in the form of sacred groves. Reports have
occasionally been appearing from Tamil Nadu and
different regions of India on approaches to
conservation of biodiversity through indigenous
religious belief and taboo, but there is no detailed
information of this area. The paper is perhaps the first
detailed record on the floristic composition and
ethnobotanical practices on the unreported sacred
groves of Pallapatty village, Madurai district, Tamil
Nadu.
Methodology
Field studies on the sacred groves (locally called as
koilkadu) of in and around Pallapatty village, Madurai
district were undertaken during 2002-2004. Most of
the information was collected from the elderly people,
village head, headman of the groves, and also people
well versed with the diverse uses of plants. The plant
materials were collected and identified by referring
standard local flora5-9
. Madurai district is the
extensions of Western Ghats like Palani hills and
Cardamom hills and are noted for their rich
vegetation. Alagar hills complex forms discontinuous
minor ranges and hills that are scattered in the western
part of the district. The study area of Pallapatty
village comes under Melur taluk of Madurai district.
Just next to Dindigul, Sivaganga and Thiruchirappalli ______________
*Corresponding author
GANESAN et al.: ETHNOBOTANICAL PRACTICES OF SACRED GROVES OF TAMIL NADU
155
districts boundaries approximately with in 77° 81'–
78° 2 E longitudes and 9° 5'–10° 5' N latitude, with
elevation ranging from 150-450 m above mean sea
level. Pallapatty and its surroundings have rich
vegetation and biodiversity and its conservation
practices are done in small patches. A number of
sacred groves are located around this village in which
8 sacred groves are selected for the study. A network
of natural streams, which supply water, travels the
entire with one big stream Palar. The study areas are
mostly scrub jungle vegetation and have a good
content of red soil. In some places, the soil is not
fertile and is just barren exposed to heavy soil
erosion. The temperature ranges from 18ºC-25ºC
during winter and about 25ºC – 30ºC in summer. The
highest rainfall occurred during monsoon period
(October-November) while driest during February -
May. One of the ethnic groups Valaiyans dwelling in
the area are employed in the groves. The groves
like Ayyanar, Pattatharasi, Chellandiamman,
Chottakaran, Thoppukaruppu, Irulankaruppu are
situated in Pallapatty village, while Kavadimurugan
and Sundaikattu Ayyanar groves are situated in
Vellimalai hills and Guruvarpatti village (Figs. 1-3).
Most of the groves are located out side the village,
just near or inside the reserve forest. All pooja and
ceremonies were conducted inside the groves, mostly
in the period of full moon day and new moon day of
each year. Every Tuesday and Friday the regular
Pooja’s were conducted. Bigger festivals were
conducted in Kavadimurugan grove in the month of
February (Thaipoosam) and April (Panguni
udthiram).
Results
The study enumerate the plants that are found in 8
sacred groves namely, Ayyanar koil, Pattatharasi koil,
Chellandiamman koil, Chottakaran koil, Thoppu-
karuppu koil, Irulankaruppu koil, Kavadimurugan koil
and Sundaikattu Ayyanar koil of Madurai district,
Tamil Nadu. A total of 133 plant species belonging to
113 genera distributed among 51 families were
recorded (Table 1). Based on habit classification of
the 133 plants, maximum numbers of species were
trees (56 Sp) followed by herbs (30 Sp), shrub
(27 Sp), climbers (16 Sp) and grasses (4 Sp). Among
the families, Euphorbiaceae was most dominant
comprising 13 species and 10 genera, followed by
Caesalpiniaceae represented by 9 species 6 genera.
Maximum number (53 species) were recorded in the
Pattatharasi koil grove followed by Chottakaran koil
grove (50 Sp), Sundaikattu ayyanar koil grove
(45 Sp), Kavadimurugan koil grove (40 Sp) (Fig. 1b),
Irulankaruppu koil grove (33 Sp) (Fig. 1c), Ayyanar
koil grove (32 Sp) (Fig. 1a), Thoppukaru koil grove
(30 Sp) and Chellandiamman koil grove (27 Sp).
Albizia amara, Alangium salviifolium and Cynodon
dactylon were commonly found in all the 8 groves.
Four species, viz. Azadirachta indica, Cassia
auriculata, Pavetta indica and Cyperus rotundus were
recorded common in 7 groves; Clausena dendata,
Cardiospermum halicacabum and Holoptelea integri-
folia were found in 6 groves; Glycosmis pentaphylla,
Cissus quadrangularis, Argyreia kleiniana, Lantana
indica, Acalypha fruticosa and Cymbopogon citratus
were noted in 5 groves. Based on the utilization, 79%
of the species recorded were used for medicinal
purposes, 35 plant species were considered as sacred
plants. Tamarindus indica (Puli), Syzygium cuminii
(Naval) and Madhuca longifolia (Paei Iluppai) are
believed as the abode of the ghost. Azadirachta indica
(Vaembu), Hardwickia pinnata (Aathi) and Aloe vera
(Sothukathalai) are used for warding off of the evil
spirit. Gloriosa superba (Kalappaikizhangu), Breynia
retusa (Oduvu), and B. vitis-ideae (Chithaoduvu)
were considered poisonous.
Discussion The study of mythological associations or faith in
plants among the folk is a fascinating area with
immense possibilities of insight into the causes of
these associations. In and around Madurai district,
many researchers have studied the tree worship, plant
in offering; sacred groves and biodiversity conser-
vation; ecological traditions, village arts and crafts;
conservation of plant genetic resources; and ethno-
medicinal aspects10-25
. In the present work, survey of
floristic composition and practices of some
unreported sacred groves of Pallapatty village,
Madurai district was carried out.
The ancient Tamils worshipped nature and set apart
sanctified land to propitiate the tree spirit, such sacred
groves persist today, although the beliefs that ensured
their protection is less steadfastly observed then in the
past. Historical records legends and folk songs all
throw light on the sacred groves of Tamil Nadu14
.
These are a part of the local folklore and religion.
Every village has a grove, a protected area associated
with local folk deities of obscure origin, in the middle
of the grove there is generally a shrine of Amman or
the mother Goddess in one of her many forms, Kaali,
Maari, Pidaari, Ellai, etc19
. In the present survey,
INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL. 8, No. 2, APRIL 2009
156
Table 1−List of plant species recorded in the selected sacred groves of Madurai district
Plant name Family Local name Parts used Therapeutic uses
Abrus precatorius L. Fabaceae Gundumani S, L External wounds
Abutilon indicum (L.) Sweet Malvaceae Thutthi L, R Cold, stops bleeding in wounds
Acacia catechu Willd. Mimosaceae Vealam B Gum bleeding, skin diseases
Acacia leucophloea (Roxb.) Willd. Mimosaceae Velvealam R Leucoderma
Acacia nilotica (L.) Del. Mimosaceae Karuvealam B, Fr Gum bleeding, skin diseases
Acalypha fruticosa Forskal Euphorbiaceae Sinni L Dyspepsia, stomach trouble
Acalypha indica L. Euphorbiaceae Kuppaimeni L Skin disease, purgative
Achyranthes aspera L. Amaranthaceae Nayuruvi L, R Scorpion bite, gum bleeding,
sacrificed plant
Adhatoda vassica Nees. Acanthaceae Adathoda L Cough and asthma
Aerva javanica (Burm.f.) Juss. ex
Schultes
Amaranthaceae Kannupeelai WP Diuretics, poisonous bites, used in
religious function
Aerva lanata (L.) Juss. Amaranthaceae Kannupeelai WP Diuretics, poisonous bites, used in
religious function
Alangium salviifolium (L.f) Wangerin Alangiaceae Alingi B, Fr Rheumatic fever, eye diseases,
sacrificed tree
Albizia amara (Roxb.) Boiv. Mimosaceae Usil L Cleaning the hair, sacrificed plant
Albizia lebbek (L.) Benth. Mimosaceae Vaagai L, B, S Dysentery, venereal diseases,
sacred tree
Albizia odoratissima (L. f.) Benth. Mimosaceae Karuvaagai L Skin diseases, rheumatism
Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f. Liliaceae Sotthu Katthalai L Cooling, stomachache, used
against evil spirit
Annona squamosa L. Annonaceae Seetha L, Fr Leaf paste used for skin infection,
young fruits used for piles and
diarrhoea
Argyreia kleiniana (Roemer &
Schultes) Raiz.
Convolvulaceae Onankodi Ltx, R Diarrhoea, skin diseases
Atalantia monophylla (L.) Corr. Serr. Rutaceae Kattu elumichai L, Fr Skin infection
Azadirachta indica Adr. Juss. Meliaceae Veambu WP Multipurpose, considered as a
Goddess tree
Azima tetracantha Lam. Salvadoraceae Sangumullu L Dyspepsia, swellings, cold
Bambusa arundinacea (Retz.) Willd. Poaceae Moongil WP Used in religious functions
Barleria cuspidata Heyne ex Nees Acanthaceae Mulkanagamparam L Wound healing
Biophytum sensitivum (L.) DC. Oxalidaceae Thotasurunki WP Wound healing, skin diseases,
inflammation
Blepharis maderaspatensis (L.) Roth Acanthaceae Ayanthilaiperichan AP Cut wounds,
muscles joining
Borassus flabellifer L. Arecaceae Panai WP Young kernel edible, used for
religious function
Breynia retusa (Dennst.) Alston. Euphorbiaceae oduvu WP Plant considered as poisonous
Breynia vitis-idaea (Burm. f.) C.
Fischer.
Euphorbiaceae Sithaoduvu WP Plant considered as poisonous
Buddleja asiatica Lour. Buddlejaceae Karukattan Plant Sacrificed plant
Butea monosperma (Lam.) Kuntze Fabaceae Purasu WP Sacred tree
Cadaba fruticosa (L.) Druce. Capparaceae Viluthi L, R Rheumatism, joining the broken
bone
Caesalpinia bonduc (L.) Roxb. Caesalpiniaceae Kalichi S Crack on heal
Canthium coromandelicum (Burm.f.)
Alston
Rubiaceae Kaarai R Skin infection
Caralluma adscendens (Roxb.) R. Br. Asclepiadaceae Kalli mulaiyan YT Cooling effect, ulcer
(Contd)
GANESAN et al.: ETHNOBOTANICAL PRACTICES OF SACRED GROVES OF TAMIL NADU
157
Table 1−List of plant species recorded in the selected sacred groves of Madurai district—Contd
Plant name Family Local name Parts used Therapeutic uses
Cardiospermum canescens Wallich Sapindaceae Mudakathan WP Rheumatism
Cardiospermum halicacabum L. Sapindaceae Mudakathan WP Rheumatism
Carissa carandas L. Apocynaceae Kelakai Ltx, Fr Fruits edible, latex used for wound
healing.
Caryota urens L. Arecaceae Koonthalpanai WP Sacrificed plant
Cassia auriculata L. Caesalpiniaceae Aavaram chedi L, Flr Leaves and flower used for
diabetes, used in religious function
Cassia fistula L. Caesalpiniaceae Kontrai L Ring worm, considered as a
sacred tree
Cassia occidentalis L. Caesalpiniaceae Thakarai L, S Skin infection, purgatives
Cassia tora L. Caesalpiniaceae Usithakarai L, S Skin infection, purgatives
Cassytha filiformis L. Lauraceae Vaerilla rosa WP Purgative, remove retained
placenta of animals
Casuarina equisetifolia Forster Casuarinaceae Savukku L, Flr Cracks on the keels
Catharanthus roseus (L.) Don. Apocynaceae Nithyakalyani Flr Sacrificed plant
Cayratia pedata (Lour.) A.L. Juss ex.
Gagnepain
Vitaceae Ainthilai kodi L Skin diseases
Cissampelos pareira L Menispermaceae Ponmustai R Stomachache
Cissus guadrangularis L. Vitaceae Perandai WP Stomach problem, join the broken
bone
Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) Swingle Rutaceae Elumichai Fr Multipurpose, considered
as a sacred fruit
Clausena dentata (Willd.) Roem. Rutaceae Ananthalai L, Fr Fruits edible, aromatic leaf used
for skin infection
Cocos nucifera L. Arecaceae Thennai WP Used in religious function
Combretum albidum Don Combretaceae Odaikodi B Skin diseases
Commiphora caudata (Wight & Arn)
Engl.
Burseraceae Kizhuvai Gum Wound healing
Corchorus trilocularis L. Tiliaceae Sunnampu keerai WP Dyspepsia
Couroupita guianensis Aublet Lecythidaceae Nagalingam Flr Sacrificed tree, flower considered
as god Shiva
Crataeva magna (Lour.) DC. Capparaceae Maralingam L, B Jaundice, eczema, rabies,
sacrificed plant
Croton bonplandianum Baillon Euphorbiaceae Mannennaikozhi Ltx, L Wound healing
Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf. Poaceae Sukkunaripullu WP Used in religious function
Cymbopogon martini (Roxb.) Wats. Poaceae Sukkunaripullu WP Used in religious function
Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. Poaceae Arugampullu WP Blood purifier, considered as god
Ganapathy
Cyperus rotundus L. Cyperaceae Korai Blb Diuretics
Datura metal L. Solanaceae Oomathai L Mental disorder, skin diseases,
piles
Delonix regia (Hook.) Raf. Caesalpiniaceae Vavarasu WP Sacrificed tree
Dendrophthoe falcata (L.f.) Ettingsh. Loranthaceae Pulluruvi L Skin diseases
Dioscorea hirsuta Dennst. Dioscoreaceae Vallikodi Tbr Edible, dandruff
Dodonaea angustifolia L. Sapindaceae Viraali L, S Inflammation, bone fracture
Ecbolium ligustrinum (Vahl) Vollesen Acanthaceae Pachambaram Flr Sacrificed plant
Elytraria acaulis (L.f.) Lindau Acanthaceae Kejapatham L Skin diseases
Ervatamia divaricata (L.) Alston Apocynaceae Nandhyavattai Flr Sacrificed plant
Euphorbia antiquorum L. Euphorbiaceae Kalli Ltx Remove the wart
Ficus amplissima Smith Moraceae Etthi P Sacrificed plant
(Contd)
INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL. 8, No. 2, APRIL 2009
158
Table 1−List of plant species recorded in the selected sacred groves of Madurai district—Contd
Plant name Family Local name Parts used Therapeutic uses
Ficus benghalensis L. Moraceae Alamaram R, Ltx Gum bleeding, mouth ulcer
Ficus religiosa L. Moraceae Arasamaram Fr Fruits edible, considered as a god
Ganapathy
Furcraea foetida (L.)Haw. Agavaceae Seemakathalai Rhi Edible
Gloriosa superba L. Liliaceae Kalappaikilangu Rhi Poisoning
Glycosmis pentaphylla (Retz.) Correa Rutaceae Panjan L, Fr Fruits edible, aromatic leaves used
for skin infection
Gomphrena globosa L. Amaranthaceae Vadamalli Flr Sacrificed plant
Gyrocarpus americanus Jacq. Hernandiaceae Thanakku Gum Reduce the belly
Hardwickia binata Roxb. Caesalpiniaceae Aathi WP Sacrificed tree, removing the evil
sprit
Havea brasiliensis (Willd. Ex. Juss.)
Muell.
Euphorbiaceae Rubbermaram Ltx Introduced tree latex used for lips
ulcer
Hesperethusa crenulata (Roxb.) M.
Roem.
Rutaceae Nayvila Fr, L Skin infection
Holoptelea integrifolia (Roxb.)
Planchon.
Ulmaceae Aavimarum S Edible, plant considered as a abode
of ghost
Jatropha curcas L. Euphorbiaceae Kattukottai Ltx Skin infection
Jatropha gossypifolia L. Euphorbiaceae Athalai Ltx Mouth ulcer
Justicia tranquebariensis L.f. Acanthaceae Sivanar veampu WP Skin diseases, stomach problem
Lantana camara L. Verbenaceae Unnichedi L Skin infection, rheumatism
Lantana indica Roxb. Verbenaceae Nattunni L Skin infection, rheumatism
Leptadenia reticulata (Retz.) Wight &
Arn.
Asclepiadaceae Palakkodi YT, Ltx Latex used for cold, young tops
used as vegetables
Leucas aspera Spreng. Lamiaceae Thumbai WP Headache, cold, cough, asthma
Madhuca longifolia (Koenig) Macbr. Sapotaceae Ilupai Flr, Fr Swelling, respiratory tract
infection, oil purgative
Mallotus philippensis Muell.-Arg. Euphorbiaceae Kamala L Muscle pain
Melia azedarach L. Meliaceae Malai veambu L, Flr Stomach pain
Millingtonia hortensis L.f. Bignoniaceae Panneer Fr Sacrificed tree
Mimosa pudica L. Mimosaceae Thottal chinnungi R, L Snakebite, knee pain
Morinda coreia Buch.-Ham. Rubiaceae Manjanethi L Join the broken bone
Murraya koenigii (L.) Sprengel. Rutaceae Karuveapillai L, Fr Stomach problems
Nerium oleander L. Apocynaceae Arali Flr Sacrificed plant
Ocimum tenuiflorum L. Lamiaceae Nai thulasi L Cold, cough
Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw. Cactaceae Sappathikalli Flr, Fr Flower used for skin diseases,
fruits edible
Ormosia travancorica Bedd. Fabaceae Malai manchadi WP Used for religious function
Pandanus odoratissimus L. f. Pandanaceae Thalai Flr Used in religious function
Pavetta indica L. Rubiaceae Pavettai L Cobra bites
Phoenix Pusilla Gaertn. Arecaceae Echai WP Used in religious function
Plumeria alba L. Apocynaceae Poovarali Plant Sacrificed plant
Polycarpaea corymbosa (L.) Lam. Caryophyllaceae Karumchadachi WP Poisonous bites
Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre Fabaceae Pungamaram L, B, Flr Skin diseases, sacred tree
Premna latifolia Roxb. Verbenaceae Puchumullai L Swellings, plant considered as a
sacred tree
Prosopis chilensis Stuntz Mimosaceae Seemakaruvelai L, Fr Fruits edible, leaves wound healing
Pterolobium hexapetalum (Roth)
Santapu & Wagh.
Caesalpiniaceae Kariyendu L Skin diseases, sacrificed plant
(Contd)
GANESAN et al.: ETHNOBOTANICAL PRACTICES OF SACRED GROVES OF TAMIL NADU
159
Table 1−List of plant species recorded in the selected sacred groves of Madurai district—Contd
Plant name Family Local name Parts used Therapeutic uses
Ricinus communis L. Euphorbiaceae Amanakku S, Oil Purgative, rheumatism
Sapindus laurifolius Vahl. Sapindaceae Poonthikottai Fr Cleaning the cloth
Securinega virosa (Roxb. ex Willd.)
Pax & Hoffm.
Euphorbiaceae Vellaippula Fr Edible
Sida cordifolia L. Malvaceae Vettukayapoondu L Cut wounds
Solanum torvum Sw. Solanaceae Sundaikkai L, Fr Leaves used for skin diseases,
fruits as vermifuge
Streblus asper Lour. Moraceae Purankuttu Gum Dysentery, ulcer
Strychnos nux-vomica L. Loganiaceae Yetti S, Oil Rheumatism,sacrificed plant
Strychnos potatorum L.f. Loganiaceae Thethan Kottai S Improve the health
Syzygium cuminii (L.) Skeels Myrtaceae Naval Fr, S Fruits edible, seed used for
diabetes
Tamarindus indica L. Caesalpiniaceae Puli L, Fr Dysentery, muscular, joints pain
Tectona grandis L. f. Verbenaceae Thekku L Boils, skin infection
Tephrosia purpurea (L.) Pers. Fabaceae Kozhungi R Stomach pain
Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wight &
Arn.
Combretaceae Maruthu B Blood pressure, sacrificed tree
Thespesia populnea (L.) Sol. ex Corr. Malvaceae Poovarasu Flr, B Skin diseases
Tinospora cordifolia (Wild.) Miers.
Hook. f. Thomson
Menispermaceae Seenthil L, S Rheumatism
Tragia involucrata L. Euphorbiaceae Senthatti WP Stomach trouble
Tylophora indica (Burm. f.) Merr. Asclepiadaceae Kurinchan L Diabetes, fever
Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash Poaceae Vettiveru R Cooling, hair growth
Waltheria indica L. Sterculiaceae - L Purgatives
Wrightia tinctoria (Roxb.) R. Br. Apocynaceae Veppalai Ltx, L, B Skin diseases; wound healing
Xanthium indicum Koenig ex Roxb. Asteraceae Karapan chedi Young
buds
Tooth pain
Ziziphus glabrata Heyne ex Roth. Rhamnaceae Elanthai B, Fr Fruits edible, bark used for skin
infection
Ziziphus oenoplia (L.) Miller Rhamnaceae Soorai F Fruits edible
Ziziphus rugosa Lam. Rhamnaceae Soorai Fr Fruits edible
T – Tree, S – Shrub, C – Climber, H – Herb, G – Grass, L- Leaves, S – Seed, Fr – Fruits, Flr – Flower, B- Bark, WP- Whole Plant,
R – Root, Rhi – Rhizome, Blb – Bulb, Ltx – Latex
different forms of deities like, Ayyanar, Amman,
Karuppu made up of clay and Kavadimurugan made
up of stone were also found. People take vows
(promise) for their own wish; if the wish is fulfilled,
they submit terracotta’s (Figs 4 & 5). The terracotta
mostly are horses, dogs, cats, bulls, elephants, ram
(male sheep) and parts of human beings mainly hands
and legs, etc18
. In the investigation, in all the sacred
groves children’s terracotta (30-60cm), dogs (30cm-
1.5m), bulls (1-1.5m), elephants (1-2m), ram (1.5m)
and horses (15cm-3m) were found (Figs 6-9). Small
insects, centipede, millipede and scorpion terracotta
are also found in Chottakaran koil groves. Mostly, all
the terracotta are made up of clay except in Ayyanar
koil grove; the horse terracotta and Ayyanar (god)
bodyguards are made up of bricks and cement. Single
person for fulfillment of wishes dedicates it.
The conservation of sacred groves by the local
people involves strict rules and taboos, tree felling,
damaging of plants are strictly prohibited. Generally,
inside the grove foot wears, smoking and alcoholic
beverage are prohibited. Only local people are
allowed to collect medicinal herbs and parts in cases
of sickness. In the case of persons damaging the
groves properties, fines or punishments are awarded.
Resulting in the religious taboo and myth, the
INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL. 8, No. 2, APRIL 2009
160
GANESAN et al.: ETHNOBOTANICAL PRACTICES OF SACRED GROVES OF TAMIL NADU
161
diversity of the groves is protected. In Tamil Nadu, all
local Hindu people believe the neem tree (Azadirachta
indica) as a form of Amman (goddess). It is because
of its proven therapeutic properties (Fig. 10).
Pattatharasi koil grove (53 plant species) and
Chottakaran koil grove (50 plant species) have a rich
in vegetation with undisturbed nature. In Pattatharasi
koil grove, 200-300 yrs old Ficus benghalensis trees,
home of birds, insects, honeybee and small animals
are also found. The luxuriant liana Combretum
albidum is also spread on this tree. In the foot of the
tree, local people place the snake god and Ayyanar
god terracotta (30-60 cm). The local people
considered the base of this tree as a residency of
snakes. Some times inside the shrine, small to bigger
sized cobra also reside along with deity. In all the
sacred groves, most of the plant species reported
inside the groves do not occur out side the groves,
indicating the endemic nature of occurrences. In the
survey, 60 different plant species present in any one
of the 8 groves were found. It is interesting to note
that many sacred groves are also important archaeo-
logical sites with evidence of Paleolithic or Neolithic
cultures. Sittanavasal in Pudukottai district for
example, combines 3000 yrs old caves of Jaina monks
and 1300 yrs old caves with beautiful paintings. Such
situations are found frequently all over Tamil Nadu18
.
In the Kavadimurugan koil grove, some old stone
sculpture found may be a figure of Arjuna (from epic
Mahabharata) or Nadukal, an ancient practice of
dedicating a grave stone for brave warriors (Figs 11 &
12). The local people reside in the area consider the
sculpture as a god Karuppu placed under the tree of
Premna latifolia and pray regularly (Fig. 13).
It is clear that there is a wide range of usage and
conservation of local flora by the indigenous people.
The conservation of medicinal plants gives protection
to the life of local people and also improves the poor
socioeconomic condition of the people living around
the plants. Almost the entire world has now
recognized the value and importance of plants used in
traditional knowledge. The conservation of can plant
species can be carried out effectively by creating
awareness on the utility and conservation of plant
diversity to local communities, controlling over
exploitation, cultivating and preserving germplasm in
the form of seed, pollen, tissue or gene bank. It further
includes conservation through legislation, conser-
vation in the form of ethno-forestry and nature
preserver in areas of special national importance.
Conclusion
Various communities in India follow nature
worship based on the premise that all creations of
nature have to be protected. Sacred groves still posses
a great heritage of diverse gene pool of many forest
species having socio-religious attachment and
possessing medicinal values2. These are gradually
shrinking in size and number due to civilization in the
remote areas, land requirements, agriculture practices,
monsoon failure and low rainfall, education and
literacy brought to the tribal people26,27
. The legal
status and management of sacred groves in the
country need to be examined and there is an urgent
need to preserve and acknowledge the efforts of the
people of this area in preserving the other small
sacred patches of forest as local biodiversity28
.
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