Spread of Shaivism in Bastar: From Tribal Deities to State Religion

Abstract

This paper examines the historical spread of Shaivism in the Bastar region of present-day Chhattisgarh, tracing its evolution from the worship of indigenous tribal deities to the establishment of Shaivism as a dominant religious tradition supported by successive dynasties. Bastar, identified with the ancient Dandakaranya forest of the Ramayana, represents a unique case study in the processes of religious synthesis and cultural transformation. Drawing upon archaeological evidence, epigraphic records, temple architecture, ethnographic studies, and literary sources, this paper argues that the spread of Shaivism in Bastar was not a process of simple replacement of indigenous traditions but rather a complex synthesis in which Shaivite concepts, deities, and practices were integrated with pre-existing tribal religious frameworks. The paper traces this religious evolution through five historical phases: the pre-Shaivite tribal religious period, the early penetration of Shaivism under the Nala dynasty, the consolidation of Shaivism under the Chindaka Nagas, the continued patronage under the Kakatiya-Bastar state, and the contemporary synthesis of Shaivite and tribal traditions. Central to this analysis is the concept of "sanskritization" and its limitations in explaining the religious transformation of tribal societies. The paper concludes by examining the contemporary religious landscape of Bastar, where Shaivism coexists with vibrant tribal traditions in a complex, syncretic relationship that continues to evolve.