Jaherthan

Jaherthan
Religion
Affiliation	Sarna Dharam Sari Dharam
Deity	Jaher Ayo, Singbonga
Festivals	Sarhul, Baha parab, Sohrai, etc
Location
Country	India  Bangladesh
Architecture
Type	Sacred Grove

Jaherthan, Jahirathan or Jahergarh (Hindi:जाहेरथान, जाहिराथान, जाहेरगढ़) is a sacred grove which is a residing place of Jaher Ayo and worshiping place of Santal, Bhumij, Paharia and Bedia tribes present in India and Bangladesh.^[1][2][3] It is a characteristic feature of a Bhumij and Santal village on the edge of the village where many holy spirits live and where a series of annual festivals take place.^[4] This sacred grove is set aside in the founding of the village and left undisturbed except at times of festivals. Inside is set a series of natural (uncut) stones which represent the Bongas, but are not substitutes except during festival.^[5][6]

It is also called Sarna sthal, among the Mundas, Santals, and Oraons of Ranchi, Dumka, and Lohardaga regions.

According to the Santal villagers, they have the traditional customs of worshipping the Thakur Jiu. In spite of they have the beliefs that Jaher Era and the Gosae Era protected them in the Jaherthan. The Santal people have the faith on a supreme deity called Thakur Jiu. Thakur Jiu is the originator of the universe. But among the Santals have no specific worship on the Thakur Jiu thus, the santal people remembered the Thakur Jiu into the Sacred Groves on the occasion of marriage and death ceremonies. On the other hand, the Jaher Era is the Lady of the Sacred Grove (locally known as Jaherthan).

The Santal people believed that Jaher Era is a spirit who take care of the other spirits at the Jaherthan and safe the villagers and never does any harm. However, according to the Santal people of villages, Jaher Era exists in groves along with other divinities such as the Moŗeko-Turuiko (literally means “five to six”) but the Jaher Era controls over the sacred grove and other bonga in the Jaherthan.^[7][8]

The Jaherthan is a religious worshipping place of Sarna and Sari Dharam followers, notably Santal, Bhumij, Bedia and other tribes.^[9][10]

Among Santals and Bhumijs, The Jaherthan is a communal space where the physical and spiritual realms meet, and where the Bonga are believed to reside. The jaherthan is not only a religious site but also a symbol of tribal identity and ecological consciousness, emphasizing the need to live in harmony with nature.^[11][12] The Jaherthan serves as the focal point for major religious festivals like Baha Bonga, etc. It is here that the village priest called naiki or laya or deuri, communicates with the spirits, and where the community gathers to reaffirm their social bonds and collective values.^[13]