Diversity, Religious Significance and Nutritional Potential of Traditional Cereals and Millets in the Indian Himalayan Region
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16670454Keywords:
IHR, tradition cereals and millets, Kumaun religious activities, conservationAbstract
The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), with its diverse agroecological zones and rich cultural heritage, supports a unique integration of agriculture and spirituality. This study explores the distribution and religious applications of 11 traditional crops of IHR which includes seven millets and four cereal species. These grains, belonging to the Poaceae family, play significant roles in traditional ceremonies, seasonal festivals, and Tantric practices, symbolizing fertility, prosperity, and cosmic balance. The study, based on revisionary surveys, documents their altitudinal adaptability across tropical to temperate zones and emphasizes their ritualistic use in Hindu customs such as weddings, naming ceremonies, and ancestral rites. Nutritional analysis reveals their rich composition, especially in antioxidants, fibers, and essential minerals, with species like Eleusine coracana and Sorghum bicolor offering notable health benefits. The study underscores the grains’ dual role as nutritional staples and cultural artifacts, advocating for the preservation of this ethno-agricultural knowledge amid modern shifts in food systems and cultural practices.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Laxmi, Manuhar Arya, Balwant Kumar
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