The ancient Indian tradition of anthill worship is widespread among the Hindus of Goa. In the Goan praxis, the anthill is regarded as a manifestation of the Earth Goddess, and She is given names such as Sateri (Santeri), Bhoomika, Ela, and so on. The name of one Goan village – Bhoma, cognate of Bhoomi (Earth) – derives from the worship of an anthill. The word for anthill in Konkani is ro’in.
Excerpt from The Sacred Anthill and the Cult of the Primordial Mound by John C. Irwin.
Ethnographical reports of the last hundred years suggest that anthill worship is an ancient cult that survives in many parts of India up to the present day. The cult once occupied a central place in Vedic and Hindu religion, and from at least as early as the first millennium B.C., and probably earlier, it has figured prominently – if somewhat incomprehensibly – in rituals associated with all the critical events of human life, including birth, marriage, sickness, and death. Anthills have also played an important part in the consecration of temples, the warding-off of evil, ritual destruction of an enemy, calling divine witness, and securing material prosperity…
Strictly speaking, we should not call them “anthills,” because they are made not by ants but by termites (misleadingly called “white ants”). The termite, in fact, is unrelated to the ant. It is entomologically closer to the cockroach, but mainly confined to tropical and subtropical regions…
The most impressive of these anthills in active worship in Goa is found in the village of Virnoda. It is said to be very old (How old? Nobody knows for sure, so feel free to start with 200 years and add your own factor), and I reckon it to be 8-9 feet high. The TS-E 17L lens with its shift function came in handy here. As is the case in most places of this kind, you have to make do with the lighting conditions available.
Sacred anthill in Virnoda, Goa
5D Mark II, TS-E 17L
The next three photographs are from the Sateri temple in Morjim. The structure lies in a state of disuse and disrepair, and the weathered look adds to its mystique. Notice the kaavi art (sgraffito) both on the interior and exterior walls. The image of the mural in close-up exudes a rich visage, like a painting on canvas.
Antill worshipped as Goddess Sateri in Morjim, Goa
5D, 24-105L
Façade of Sateri temple in Morjim
5D, 24-105L
Mural at Sateri temple
5D, 24-105L
Apparently in Old Konkani the word Santer means an Anthill. Also Shantadurga and Santeri are supposed to be one and the same. Shantadurga Temples, I’m told, are always built on anthills.My Kuldevta are Shantadurga of Shankval (now Mardol), Vijayadurga of Keri and Lakshmi-Narasimha of Mardol.
Hi Naguesh, OK. My question stems from the Tamils call in an anthill occupied by a snake “puttu” as seen at the url below. So thought that perhaps there could be a particular word.
http://network.bestfriends.org/golocal/india/14730/news.aspx
Arun,
If you click on the link to the paper I cited, Valmiki is mentioned.
Is there any connection with the Valmiki story?
As always, excellent and unique pictures!
In response to Venantius’s query, the anthill, I believe is known as a “Varul”. I do not know if there is any special name for any anthill, that is guarded by a cobra. In Goa, whenever we came across a ‘varul’, we were advised not to approach it, as its inhabitant would generally be a cobra.
Good work RP. Btw, would anyone know what an anthill that is guarded by a snake (cobra) is called in Goa?
I reckon an anthill guarded by a snake is called a “Roinn” in Goa. The last syllable “nn” sounds like the last syllable in the Konkani/Marathi word “Ghaann” (meaning garbage).