Jaherthan

Jaherthan, Jaher or Jahergarh (Hindi:जाहेरथान, जाहेर, जाहेरगढ़ ) is a sacred grove worshiping place of Santal tribe Sari Dharam followers present in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and some migrants on other regions of the world such as United States of America, Canada and so on. It is a characteristic feature of a Santal village on the edge of the village where many holy spirits live and where a series of annual festivals take place. This grove is set aside in the founding of the village and left undisturbed except at times of festival. Inside is set a series of natural (uncut) stones which represent the bongas, but are not substitutes except during festival.

Religious importance
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.

Religion
The Jaherthan is a religious place of Sari Dharam followers notably Santal tribe.

Role in Santal society
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 Santal identity and ecological consciousness, emphasizing the need to live in harmony with nature. The Jaherthan serves as the focal point for major religious festivals and a place for resolving community disputes. It is here that the village priest, or naiki, communicates with the spirits, and where the community gathers to reaffirm their social bonds and collective values.