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Pilgrimage Centres of Kharia Tribe
Pilgrimage Centres of Kharia Tribe that developed significantly under the influence of the Hindus are Ramrekha Dham and many other sacred places.

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Pilgrimage Centres of Kharia TribePilgrimage Centres of Kharia Tribe pay a host to several sacred performances and religious festivals. The Kharia Tribe, coming under the influence of Hinduism and Christianity, adopted a number of sacred performances of the Hindus and the Christians and underwent major transformations that led to the development of several pilgrimage centres. Their affinity towards Hinduism also brought about significant transformations in the geography of the Kharia who espoused a number of sacred centers of the Hindus such as Ramrekha Dham, Hindu temples at Biru, Garja, Palkot and Bhaur Pahar or Tulsi Chaura, sacred places where Mahabiri Jhanda is planted during Ramnavami, Chauka of the Kabir Panthis, Devi Guri and other sacred places connected with Divine Light mission.

Ramrekha Dham
Ramrekha Dham, situated in a hill nearly 16 miles north-west of Simdega, is the principal pilgrimage centre of the Kharia tribe. According to local legend, Lord Rama with his holy consort Sita and brother Lakshmana spent time here during 14 years of exile. The footprints of Lord Rama and Sita is said to be preserved in Ramrekha. A cave positioned on the hill is believed to bear a close relation with the sojourn of Lord Rama. Idols of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana, Lord Krishna and Radha, Lord Jagannath and a Shivalinga are enshrined in Ramrekha. It is also a site for water-pit named as "Ramganga", said to have been excavated by Rama with the mighty stroke of his powerful arrow for bathing.

Mahabiri Jhanda
Mahabiri Jhanda planted in the community, serves as a sacred centre of the Kharias. Ramnavami, celebrated in the month of Chait Nawami, is observed in the sacred centres where Mahabiri Jhanda is planted.

Tulsi Chaura
Pilgrimage Centres of Kharia TribeA Tulsi Chaura, set up in the courtyard of the community with a Tulsi (Basil) seedling transplanted over it, is worshiped and reverenced by the Kharia tribes. The Kharias, who borrowed the trait of preserving a Tulsi Chaura from the Hindu neighbours, can be grouped under two heads: the Bhagats, and the reconverted Christian Kharias. The Bhagats pursue the custom of their Hindu Guru, while the reconverted Christian Kharias are directed by the Mahanth of Ramrekha Dham to establish a Tulsi Chaura in their courtyard. The community members pour water on the Tulsi plant every morning after bath, chanting the Gayatri Mantra twice a day. They also lit an earthen lamp in the morning and evening in reverence. The Kharias also offer water oblation to Lord Surya in the tank, spring or river after taking bath. Such spots are thus, considered to be temporary sacred centres.

Devi Guri
The Kharias after coming into close association with the Hindus have adopted a new sacred centre known as "Devi Guri". "Devi" signifies Mother Goddess, while "Guri" means a shrine or temple of Mother goddess. Almost all the non-Christian Kharia villages have a Devi Guri of two types; one is the common Devi Guri where the Kharias and the Hindus offer worship together while the second one is found only in the houses of the Kharia Bhagats.

Within the Guri the altar is decked with 5 to 7 earthen lamps arranged in a row at the eastern side, representing Mother Goddesses like Chaturbhuji Maha Lakshmi, Chaturbhuja Malta Kali, Chaturbhuja Maha Saraswati, Shankar Parvati, Barhma Barhamani, Vishnu Laxmi and Dashbhuji Durga. These lit lamps are backed by triangular flags of varying colours like white, black, violet, yellow, green and red supported by bamboo splinters.

Kabirpanthi Chauka
The impact of Kabirpanthi, a Hindu sectarian movement, has fostered the development of sacred centres and the growth of affinity towards it. Rituals associated with several lifecycle ceremonies are performed in the Chauka that is chiefly of five types, Sahaj or Sukh or Anandi Chauka, Chalawa or Ashat Parhari or Dukh Chauka, Janam or Solah sut ka Chauka, Ekotari Chauka and Barsait Chauka. Sahaj and Chalawa Chauka are worshipped by Mahanth while the rest three are worshipped by Dharam Gurus.

Besides Ramrekha, other locations such as Biru, Garja, Palkot, Bhaurpahar, Dedhauli, Rerwa, Basudeo Kona, Nagpheni and Jambahar encompass Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati, Jagannath, Lord Vishnu, Goddess Durga, Devimai, Goddess Kali and Lord Surya. Temples enshrining the Sun God are traceable at places like Biru, Garja, Palkot, Bhaurpahar, Dedhauli, Rerwa, Basudeo Kona, Nagpheni and Jambahar.

Apart from these, the different types of sacred groves (Sarna) like Pat Sarna, Mahadan Sarna, Sarhul Sarna, Gomi Sarna, Gohul, are specific locations under trees, paddy fields in waste land in forest under hills, Rojangarha or the sacred centre in the kitchen room thought to be the abode of lineage deities. The village church is considered to be sacred centres of worship for the reconverted Christian Kharias. These Pilgrimage Centres of Kharia Tribe also host several sacred customs and rituals.


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