State Museum for Tribal and Folk Art/ Aadivart Tribal Museum Khajuraho/ आदिवर्त जनजातीय संग्रहालय, खजुराहो, Aadivart tribal museum, Sevagram, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh.

The visit to this State Museum for Tribal and Folk Art, Khajuraho, was a part of the “Bhopal, Udayagiri Rock Cut Caves, Bhimbetka Rock Shelters, Sanchi, Bhojpur, and Khajuraho – of Madhya Pradesh Heritage Walk” organized by the எண்திசை வரலாற்று மரபுநடைக்குழு, between 25^th and 28^th December 2024.

 

 

The State Museum for Tribal and Folk Art displays Hero Shambas, Terracotta dolls, Paintings, and Village Houses/Huts. Tribal communities revere their ancestors, who are also their gods, and protect them at all times. Different customs are prevalent in different tribes.

The Kol tribe has the practice of creating a memorial pillar for the dead person, which is called Sanehi. Sanehi is established where the cremation of the deceased is done. The rectangular-shaped Sanehi is made from the wood of the Sarai tree, and its upper portion is triangular. Nowadays, the date of the deceased's death is engraved on the upper side of the sanehi, while the house, kalash (urn), goth, tools, animals, birds, etc., are engraved on the lower side. In fact, by installing Snehi, the family shows affection and respect towards their dead relatives. Making 'Sanehi' is very costly ritualistic work.

These Hero Stones/sthambas details will be written as a separate post

Pithora is the most beautiful example of the Bheel painting tradition. This is the most pious and important occasion for invoking and worshiping the deities. In fact, it's a ritual representation in the form of a mural painting. The tradition of its drawing is present, especially in the Dhar, Jhabua, and Nimar regions of Madhya Pradesh. Pithora making can be seen in the Bheels of Gujarat and Rajasthan as well.

Pithora worshiping is a centuries-old ritual of invoking the rain god and worshiping water as a divine deity in Bheeli areas of less rainfall. The Indi king (Indradev - the king of deities) took renunciation by handing over his throne to his nephew (sister's son) Pithora. This belief lies in the basic spirit of the mural painting of the Pithora myth. The Pithora murals are an artistic expression of the vast mythological world of the tribal memory of the Bheels. It is related to biology, productiveness, fertility of agriculture, and grain opulence. The horse painting with the story of Dharmiraja and Kajalrani is mainly done in Pithora.

Pithora is the only narrative depicted in any tribe of Madhya Pradesh, in which story-singing and playing of instruments are simultaneously accomplished. Pithora is sung by Badwa (local priest) along with the 'Dhank' instrument, and Likhandara is painted according to the story of the song. This is his traditional job. The most important thing is that it can be performed within ritualistic practices. A vow is taken to perform it. After the desired purpose is accomplished, pithora making is done on the wall in front of the entrance of the house so that gratitude can be expressed while entering and exiting the house.

In the Jhabua district, every village has a particular dwelling place of Baabdev. Villagers gather twice a year at the time of Deepawali and Diwasa, i.e., on no moon night, to worship Baabdev. Cocks, goats, vermilion, barley, or local crop & terracotta figures of horses, sometimes pigs, and cats are also offered to propitiate Baabdev desiring the well-being of the entire village. Along with this, a goat or hen was also offered to the deity with millet, vermilion, etc., as a sacred sacrifice. However, there is no idol of Baabdev but a stone as a symbol, and in many places, a wooden lion or a horse is placed. These places can be seen from a distance due to the heap of terracotta horse figures offered here for years.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---