Koyilkat&dotbelow;u: Modern day sacred grove nature temples of Tamil Nadu: Traditional Ecological Knowledge integrated in modern times

The concept of "sacred groves" has existed in multiple cultures in various religious and spiritual forms throughout history. Most recently, the value of preserving forests and "sacred groves" is recognized and advocated for by organizations such as the United Nations Environmental Protection, and the Office of Secretariat of the Convention of Biological Diversity.;In 1993, a survey performed by a local Indian NGO established different types of ecological heritage traditions in Tamil Nadu, India: one being the "Sacred groves" found outside villages. These traditions have evolved over thousands of years in a complex interplay between religion, culture, and indigenous technologies or "Traditional Ecological Knowledge" (TEK).;This is a study of three sacred grove sites in Tamil Nadu and traditions that sustain them, through the lens of Traditional Ecological Knowledge to better understand and explore the complex interconnected relationships at work. These three groves have been examined previously by ecologists for their local influence on ecological degradation, but have not been solely measured through their examined in terms of the traditional belief systems that sustain them. In this study I examined three different questions: Who are the local deities connected with the groves and what stories do they provide? How do (or don't) those stories encourage individual spiritual practices? How do (or don't) those individual spiritual practices contribute to a culture of conservation in modern day Tamil Nadu?;Using interviews from three documented sacred grove sites in Tamil Nadu, I examine the current belief systems regarding the "sacredness" of these groves. I study how modern culture is impacting the traditional system of biological conservation. In addition, I compare and contrast the historical and environmental documentation of these areas previously amassed by local environmental organizations and university studies.;I found that these areas not only continue to be spiritual sanctuaries and community refuges, but also that with increased industrial growth, the traditions seem to have grown stronger. This is reflected in the increasing number of individuals patronizing these groves and the devotion they express.