Sari Dharam
Sari Dharam is the religion of the Santal people residing in India. It is one of the religious beliefs in the eastern regions of Indian states such as Jharkhand, West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, and Assam. Outside India, it can also be found in Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. However, Santals also practice Sarnaism.
Demographics
According to the 2011 census of India, there are 506,369 followers of Sari Dharam in India, primarily from the Santal tribe of West Bengal, who make up 94.43% of the total Sari Dharam adherents.Scriptures
- Kherwal Bansa Dhorom Puthi written by Majhi Ramdas Tudu consists of the practices for worshiping by Sari Hor Hopon.
- Jomsim Binti is another notable scripture which reveals the appraisal of the supreme deity Marang Buru, Jaher Ayo, Moreko Turuiko and sawtenko.
- Sari Dharam Sereng Puthi, a collection of Holy Hymn in Santali compiled by Sadhu Ramchand Murmu is stored in several Indian universities like Vidyasagar University, West Bengal and abroad.
- Marang Buru Sari Dharam and Sari Dharam Sereng Puthi has also been included in West Bengal Service Commission, West Bengal, India.
- Sari Dharam Sarila authored by Nayke Mangal Chandra Soren, from Silda, Jhargram published in 1970 is also ne of the credible contribution to retain Sari Sarhaw by Santal tribe.
Religious Leaders
Earlier days, Pandit Raghunath Murmu has been known to unite Santal people through high Hital a scripture of evolution of the Earth and human being of Kherwals myth.The most notable recent preachers and religious leaders are Somai Kisku, also known as Sari Dharam Guru Baba, and Dr Subodh Hansda from West Bengal, in Eastern India.