Introduction
The Pando people are a Scheduled Tribe of India. Around 250,000 Pando people reside in the northern and eastern parts of Chhattisgarh. Pando people are found in Balrampur and Raigarh, as well as the neighbouring districts of Surguja and Bilaspur. The Pando people traditionally take shelter in the forest to live their lives and earn their livelihood by farming, animal husbandry and get a living from the forest.
History
The Mahabharata holds a significant place in Indian history and mythology. The Mahabharata features two groups—the Kauravas and the Pandavas. According to the epic, the Pandavas spent some years of their lives in exile in the forest. The Pando people believe they are descendants of the Pandavas during their exile. Therefore, they prefer to live near forests and depend on them for their livelihood. These people are often found in dense forests and valleys at the foothills of the hills.
Religion
The Pandavas worship spirits. They also worship trees, the spirits of their ancestors, and all things natural. They consider themselves to be the Pandavas, which is consistent with Hindu mythology. But they resort to witchcraft to worship and heal their illnesses. They believe in ghosts and that everyone on Earth has a soul.
