Design Resource
Mythological Trail of Manav Sangrahalaya
Open Air Exhibition on the Myth of India
by
The Santhal Origin Myth
Parvati created two swans out of the dirt of her body. They flew away and soon got tired. They searched for the earth to rest on but were unable to find it. They informed Parvati. She asked the earthworm and tortoise for help. Tortoise suggested that earthworms could deposit small pallets of earth on his back. The earthworm began his work but whenever tortoise felt heavy weight, his legs moved and earth fell down. Parvati called her friends to tie tortoise’s limbs. Finally when the earth was setup, the swans came and began to build their nest. They laid their eggs on it, from which the first man and woman were born, who further gave birth to five sons and six daughters. They divided them and walked off in opposite direction to avoid contact with their kin. Because the earth is round, they met after few years. Ten of them married each other. In due course of time they had children. The unmarried sister also had a baby boy who became strong young man yet no girl wanted to marry him. In anger, he decided to ruin the village. One night frightened villagers ran away and crossed the river and established the new kingdom known as Santhal Pargana.
