The creator goddess, first mother earth, of the Khond (or Kondh) tribal people of Orissa (or Odisha), on India's east coast, though most Hindus believe that Nirantali was sent by the gods to create the world. She carried with her banyan tree seeds wrapped in leaves. She first created the sun, the moon and the earth and then human beings. The sun beat down on the unsheltered humans so she gave them the banyan seed to plant for shade. The seeds grew, but the tree was a disappointment as regards shade, so Nirantali pulled on the tiny leaves so that they became huge, and stretched the branches until they reached the ground. Buddhists also revere the banyan tree: Buddha sat in the shade of one after enlightenment. Human sacrifices were made to the goddess until the middle of the 19th century
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