Bonbibi – The Lady of the Sundarbans Forest
Bonbibi is the guardian spirit of the Sundarbans mangrove forest, worshipped by both Hindus and Muslims in Bengal and Bangladesh. According to legend, she was sent by Allah to protect forest-dwellers from the demon-king Dakkhin Rai, who ruled the forest in the form of a tiger and demanded human sacrifices. Bonbibi, accompanied by her brother Shah Jangali, fought and defeated Dakkhin Rai, forcing him to agree never to harm those who called upon Bonbibi's name. Before entering the forest to collect honey or wood, locals pray to Bonbibi for protection against tigers, and her shrines are found thr