President pens foreword for first book on Lugu Buru; PM hails author’s work
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Ranchi, September 15: A 350-page coffee-table book documenting the traditional social and cultural system of the Santhal community…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, September 15: A 350-page coffee-table book documenting the traditional social and cultural system of the Santhal community at Lugu Buru Ghantabari in Bokaro has received an unusual set of high-level endorsements, with President Droupadi Murmu penning the foreword and Prime Minister Narendra Modi describing its author as the first in the country to undertake such a work.
Titled ‘Luguburu Ghantabari: Constitution of Santhal Adivasis’, the book has been authored by Ranchi-based journalist and tribal researcher Dr Somnath Arya. It documents the Santhal belief that Lugu Baba established social norms and rituals after 12 years of deliberation at the sacred hill, presenting the site as a living repository of tribal tradition and knowledge.
President calls Lugu Buru a return to ancient roots
In her foreword from Rashtrapati Bhavan, President Droupadi Murmu highlighted the Santhal community’s traditional emphasis on the conservation of Jal, Jungle, Jamin — water, forest and land.
The President described the book as the first work in the country and the world on Lugu Buru Ghantabari and said the site was much more than a hill or a collection of natural rocks.
She said places such as Lugu Buru provide an opportunity to reconnect with the roots of ancient civilisation and understand the long-standing relationship between human beings and nature.
“If you want to witness this amazing past built by penance, struggle and sadhana of our ancestors in search of knowledge and truth, you will have to come to Luguburu,” she wrote.
PM praises author for documenting Santhal Constitution
In a message dated December 27, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he had learnt about the Santhal Constitution being created at Lugu Buru Ghantabari.
He described Dr Somnath Arya’s work as an important contribution and said the author had earned the distinction of being the first author in the country to write a book on the subject.
Five key endorsements for one book
The book has received messages and endorsements from five prominent constitutional and government figures.
Besides the President and Prime Minister, Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Jharkhand Assembly Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato and Director, Culture, Asif Ekram, JAS, have also endorsed the work.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren said Luguburu Ghantabari Dhoromgarh had been a centre of faith for lakhs of Santhals since time immemorial.
He said it was believed that Lugu Baba established rituals and social norms at the site after 12 years of deliberation, with the conservation of Jal-Jungle-Jamin at the heart of those traditions.
Assembly Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato described Dhorom Garh as a centre of Santhal identity, faith and self-respect, saying the community’s social system could be viewed as a “living Constitution”.
Asif Ekram described the book as a valuable resource for understanding the depth and diversity of Jharkhand’s tribal heritage and the Santhal community’s harmonious relationship with nature.
From oral tradition to evidence on stone
Dr Somnath Arya said his research went beyond oral accounts handed down by elders and examined physical markers and sacred sites on the hill.
At Dobar rock, around half a dozen Ukhal or Ukud Kandi marks are still visible. According to local tradition, these were used for pounding paddy during the 12-year period of deliberation.
The nearby Sita Nala, also known as Charcharia waterfall, is considered sacred, while the Dhorom Dolan cave at the top of the hill has water seeping from the rocks throughout the year without any visible source.
Arya said the relationship between nature and community remains central to Santhal tradition, with water regarded as mother, the forest as home and land as soul.
Lugu Buru Jatara draws Santhals from several countries
The Lugu Buru Jatara has been accorded the status of a Rajkiya Mahotsav (State Festival) by the Jharkhand government.
Held every year after Kartik Purnima, the festival attracts lakhs of Santhals from around 14 countries, including Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan, besides devotees from Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Assam.
The gathering is regarded as one of the biggest pilgrimages of the Santhal community. Chief Minister Hemant Soren visits the site every year to pay obeisance.
Droupadi Murmu had also visited Lugu Buru during her tenure as Governor of Jharkhand and expressed her admiration for the site through poetry.
President’s possible visit adds significance
Babul Soren, President of the Lugu Buru Ghanta Bari Dhoromgarh Committee, said preparations were underway for the possible visit of President Murmu to the site during this year’s festival.
“The committee is preparing for arrival of the President this time. This book as documentary evidence will give new strength to this State Festival. Now we have written proof that this is not just a fair, this is our Parliament,” he said.
Book backed by Jharkhand government and Finland-based firm
The book is being published by ‘Aur Ek Prayas’ with support from the Directorate of Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Art-Culture, Sports & Youth Affairs, Government of Jharkhand.
Finland-based Sopeta AI R&D Ltd supported the research, while the Lugu Buru Ghanta Bari Dhoromgarh Committee provided special support to the project.
