Exploring the Cultural Significance of Lord Shiva Worship in Jharkhand's Indigenous Tribes

Ranchi: The worship of Lord Shiva among Jharkhand’s indigenous tribes represents one of the strongest living traditions of Shaivism, and its cultural significance needs greater recognition.

This was the central outcome of a lecture delivered by anthropologist Kailash Kumar Mishra in Ranchi on Wednesday.Speaking at a lecture series organised by Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts and Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Mishra traced the anthropological roots of Shaivism in tribal life. He described tribal religions as “earth religions” where Shiva emerges as a patron deity closely tied to forests, rivers, and agricultural cycles. Dewaki and Tanginath draw both tribals and non-tribals, underlining the inclusivity of these traditions, he noted.Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama secretary Swami Bhaveshananda said Shiva’s philosophy reflects simplicity, reverence for nature, and communal harmony, values central to tribal society.