The Himalayas have been a source of spiritual inspiration for the sages and meditators, who called it `DEV BHOOMI` or the `Land of Gods`. The whole of the region is full of mystic vibrations and it has been mythologically painted as the land of divine spirits. In nearly 20, 000 Villages of Himchal Pradesh, there are more than 27,000 places of worship as per 2001 census. Among several intersting social practices prevalent in the hill society, especially in places of higher altitude, the institution of village gods is the most remarkable. The gods and goddesses here are not sitting spectators but are expected to behave like common human beings with sentiments and pride. There has been a history behind each one of them, rooted in the mist of the hoary past. The present work of the author is the result of an extensive study of the Gods of Himachal Pradesh, belonging to all regions and districts. It traces the origin or manifestation of the Gods and describes the traditions, myths and legends associated with them.

There Is A General Impression Among Many That Before Its Formation (1948) Himachal Pradesh Had No Social Or Cultural Unity. The Present Work Clears Up These Misconceptions And Examines From Facts Of History The Constant, Rich And Fruitful Socio-Cultural History Of The State.

The Western Himalaya Is The Home Of Vedic Saints, Gods And Goddesses And Of God-Fearing And Honest People Who Have Respect For All Religions. This Book Deals With Their Folklore, Beliefs And Superstitions And Traditions.

In the east, a pirate king finds his plans foiled by a formidable force of nature. In the north, a majestic mountain range emerges from a demon's tantrum. In the west, a sea keeps a city safely hidden in its deep waters. In the south, the avatar of a god gives a forest its name. Long ago, before science came up with explanations for the events that occurred in nature, people turned to stories to make sense of the wondrous workings of the natural world. And so, a life-giving stream became the gift of a goddess, a hot spring arose from the breath of a celestial snake and a heap of broken boulders served as a testament to a divine battle. Zigzagging through myths, folklore, local history and geological theories, this extraordinary book draws fascinating connections between ancient tales and the science behind the spectacular geography of India. Join Nalini Ramachandran on a most unusual, adventure-filled expedition up, down and across the country's varied terrain!

This book is devoted to explore and critically examine the art and antiquities of Buddhism on the basis of different archaeological evidences.

The third in “The Mountain Walker Diaries” series captures many thoughts and hundreds of important insights into the social and cultural aspects of life as local millennial youngster Abhinav Kaushal journeys through Kinnaur, Shimla and Kullu districts of his home state, Himachal Pradesh. From a sudden flash flood in the Sutlej to the arduous trek up to Kinner Kailash; from Buffalo Fairs to the Kullu Dussehra; from the interiors of Dodra Kwar to the soul-satisfying local cuisine found in remote dhabas, Abhinav writes from his heart and soul, as he visits the abodes of Gods, ponders the meaning of life, the importance of traditions, and legacy to future generations.

This Work Will Be Of Great Interest To Scholars, Teachers And Students Of The History Of Himachal Pradesh, Of Indian Constitutional History And Indian Politics.

In World of Worldly Gods, Kelzang T. Tashi offers the first comprehensive examination of the tenacity of Shamanic Bon practices, as they are lived and contested in the presence of an invalidating force: Buddhism. Through a rich ethnography of Goleng and nearby villages in central Bhutan, Tashi investigates why people, despite shifting contexts, continue to practice and engage with Bon, a religious practice that has survived over a millennium of impatience from a dominant Buddhist ecclesiastical structure. Against the backdrop of long-standing debates around practices unsystematically identified as 'bon', this book reframes the often stale and scholastic debates by providing a clear and succinct statement on how these practices should be conceived in the region. Tashi argues that the reasons for the tenacity of Bon practices and beliefs amid censures by the Buddhist priests are manifold and complex. While a significant reason for the persistence of Bon is the recency of formal Buddhist institutions in Goleng, he demonstrates that Bon beliefs are so deeply embedded in village social life that some Buddhists paradoxically feel it necessary to reach some kind of accommodation with Bon priests. Through an analysis of the relationship between Shamanic Bon and Buddhism, and the contemporary dynamics of Bhutanese society, this book tackles the longstanding concern of anthropology: cultural persistence and change. It discusses the mutual accommodation and attempted amalgamation of Buddhism and Bon, and offers fresh perspectives on the central distinguishing features of Great and Little Traditions.