IMMORTALITY OF SOUL AND CONCEPT OF HEAVEN IN GOND TRIBES OF BASTAR

Abstract

India is a land of varied and colourful culture and tradition with different religion and regional languages and dialects. Tribal communities of our country made it more fascinating with their religious sacraments, customs, tradition and social belief. The culture which has been survived with its originality and peculiarity is the only cultures of tribes. Tribes of all over the world have different social and religious beliefs gained by their ancestors from generation to generation. Chhattisgarh region is endowed with rich cultural heritage of tribes in North region. Tribes like Uraon, Baiga, Bhotia, kauravas found in southern region of Bastar. It extends from 17.46 to 20.14 degree North Latitude and lies between 80.15 and 82.10 degree East Longitude with tribes of Gonds, Halba, Bhatra, Bhunjia. Gond tribes are the largest tribes of India perhaps in the world. Gondwana, the tribal domain was extended from Ganga to Godawari but due to foreign invasion these natives shifted to forests and hills. From known history it was the home of many hermitage and sages and suitable place of penance for them. It was name after a king Dandak called it Dandakaranya which is also mentioned in Hindu mythological book The Ramayana.