Rankini Explained

Rankini is a guardian deity, primarily worshipped in the eastern parts of India, including Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha. She is associated with protection, strength, fertility and prosperity.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Description

Rankini is a tribal demon goddess, revered by various tribal communities, especially the Bhumij tribe of eastern India.^{[4] [5]} Her shrines are often found in remote jungles, reflecting her connection to nature and the wilderness.^[6] She is typically represented by a naturally occurring stone, which is believed to symbolize her presence.^[7]

There is no mention of Rankini Devi in the Vedas, Puranas or epics. According to Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay's short story Rankini Debi'r Kharga,^[8] Rankini is the deity of the wild tribals, who lived in Manbhum district.^{[9] [10]} She is also considered the family deity of the princely states of Dhalbhum and Jamboni.^{[11] [12]}

Notes and References

1. Book: Maity, Pradyot Kumar . Human Fertility Cults and Rituals of Bengal: A Comparative Study . 1989 . Abhinav Publications . 978-81-7017-263-5 . en.
2. Book: McDaniel, June . Making Virtuous Daughters and Wives: An Introduction to Women's Brata Rituals in Bengali Folk Religion . 2012-02-01 . State University of New York Press . 978-0-7914-8765-5 . en.
3. Book: Bhaumik, Sudarshana . The Changing World of Caste and Hierarchy in Bengal: Depiction from the Mangalkavyas c. 1700–1931 . 2022-08-26 . Taylor & Francis . 978-1-000-64143-1 . en.
4. Book: Russell, Robert Vane . The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India: Ethnological Study of the Caste System . 2022-01-04 . e-artnow . en.
5. Book: Ghosh, G. K. . Legends of Origin of the Castes and Tribes of Eastern India . 2000 . Firma KLM . 978-81-7102-046-1 . en.
6. Book: Dalton, Edward Tuite . Descriptive Ethnology of Bengal . 1872 . Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing . en.
7. Web site: link . Get . Facebook . Twitter . Pinterest . Email . Apps . Other . Rankini Devi – About Goddess Rankini . 2024-10-01.
8. Web site: Manzoor . Sohana . 2018-08-20 . The Machete of the Goddess . 2024-10-01 . The Daily Star . en.
9. Book: Bandyopādhyāẏa, Bibhūtibhūshaṇa . Fascinating Stories . 1996 . Sahitya Akademi . 978-81-7201-948-8 . en.
10. Book: Bhattacharjee . Ritwick . Horror Fiction in the Global South: Cultures, Narratives and Representations . Ghosh . Saikat . 2021-04-30 . Bloomsbury Publishing . 978-93-90077-28-1 . en.
11. Book: Majumdar, Anindita . British Forest Policy and Tribal Community in Bengal, 1880-1947 . 2006 . Readers Service . 978-81-87891-58-1 . en.
12. Book: Reid, J. . Final Report on the Survey and Settlement of Pargana Dhalbhum in the District of Singhbhum, 1906 to 1911 . 1912 . Bengal Secretariat Book Departmentôt . en.