Ramnami Community of Chhattisgarh: Faith Beyond Temples

Chhattisgarh is the land of colorful art, culture, and tribalism. The Ramnami community of Chhattisgarh are one of the most influential communities in terms of spirituality and signifying devotion and social equality. They used to be approximately half a million (six lakh) in number but now they are reduced to one thousand. They were different in their identity as the whole body was tattooed with the word Ram, which shows their philosophy that the name itself is godly; everything is worthless.

Who is Ramnami community of chhattisgarh ?

Origin and Philosophy of ramnami tribe

Ramnami started in the 1890s in the village of Charouda (Janjgir district) in Chhattisgarh. Its founder, Paramarthi Ramramdas, was of Dalit community. On one occasion, he was refused entry to a temple and this hurt him so much.

In protest, he declared:

“And when I cannot get in the house of God, then God will be there in my body”

He tattooed himself with the letters “Ram” and urged other people to do it too- teaching that God is not in idols and temples but in remembrance. Therefore, the Ramnami Sampradaya started in which caste boundaries and idol veneration were not accepted and spiritual equality was encouraged by Ram Nam (chanting the divine name).

Faith That Lives on the Skin

Ramnami members are not going to temples and idols. Chanting and personification of the name of Ram is their only way of devotion. Previously, all the infants in the society were subject to a ritual during which the infant body was tattooed with Ram Nam. That is a practice that has been almost phased out nowadays. One of the few who are still practicing this is Acharya Mahetar Ram Ramnami (84) of Jamagahan village, Sarangarh-Bilaigarh. The holy ink is still visible on his whole body.

He recalls:

“Every child once had ‘Ram’ inscribed on their body. Now parents fear it may affect education or jobs.”

Why Is the Ramnami tradition dying?

The number of followers has dropped to only one thousand, down to half a million followers.

Key reasons include:

Education/Employment Obstacles:
- Tattoos which are visible welcome social prejudice and institutional biasness.
Social Stigma:
- The younger generations perceive the practice as being bygone and fear being mocked at.
Urban Migration & Modernity:
- The families that have moved to urban areas use the name Ram Nam without body tattoos.

Future of Ramnami Tribe of CG

Still, all is not lost.
Acharya Mahetar takes pride in the fact that there was 20-25 yearly initiation (Diksha) among the youths this year.
He is visited by researchers and documentary film makers all over India and beyond to film their lifestyles.

He says:

“No one can take away that tattoo on our bodies, but we will never forget Ram”

Current Community Conditions

Nowadays, the Ramnami community exists in approximately 40 villages, primarily in the Sarangarh-Bilaigarh, Janjgir, and Sakti districts.
They hold Ramnami Jatra, a religious meeting every year in which followers sing Ram Nam together throughout days.

Final Words

The tale of the Ramnami people is not just a tale of religion, it is a tale of honor, opposition, and fairness. They made a temple of them when the society refused to allow them the gates of the temple.

“Not stone, but in the remembrance God is not”

As the tradition dies, it tells us about the profound spiritual pluralism of India, in which a religion turns into protest and art. The heritage of Ramnami will be preserved as a living cultural heritage of Chattisgarh.