Sandeep Patel

⭐Chapter 01: Avesham – When the Gods Enter🚩 “Jo aaye woh swayam dev hai. Sharir inka, vaani unki.” 📢– Local saying from Garhwal, Uttarakhand 👽(“The one who comes is the deity himself. The body is theirs, but the voice is divine.”) The cold wind swept through the narrow valley as the villagers gathered at the ancient stone temple perched above the river. Smoke from the dhuni curled into the twilight sky. Somewhere behind the temple, a conch echoed, followed by the rhythmic beat of the damau and nagara. They knew it was about to begin. 🚩Avesham.🚩🔔🔊 ⭐In the local lore of Garhwal and Kumaon in Uttarakhand, and the high valleys of Himachal Pradesh, Avesham is not just a spiritual experience—it is a direct communion with the divine. In these mountain regions, where every peak is sacred and every stream whispers mythology, the gods are not distant. They walk among people—through them, within them. 🚩The Possession Begins: The chosen one—usually a man or woman from the village, often called the khela, guru, or chela—begins to tremble. Their body shakes, eyes roll, and their breath becomes heavy. The priest chants the mantra of invocation. Drums rise in tempo. The entire atmosphere becomes electric. Then it happens. A shriek, a cry, or sometimes a deep, growling voice announces the entry of the deity. The spirit of the devta (god) is believed to have entered the body. Locals step back in awe. Some fall to the ground. Children hide behind their mothers. The gods have come. 🚩Names of the Divine Entrants: Each region has its own deities known for their fierce presence and tendency to take Avesh (possession): 🚩In Uttarakhand: 📍Bhairav Baba, Nanda Devi, Kaal Bhairavi, Golu Devta 📍Local goddesses like Kandali Devi, Chandika Mata, and Baghwali Devi 🚩In Himachal Pradesh: 📍Hadimba Devi (Kullu), Malana Devta, Jamlu Rishi, Mahasu Devta, Chandika Devi 📍Narayan Devta and Deo Nagas, often worshipped by oracles 🚩Avesham and Oral Tradition: 🔊The mountain folk believe that the deity speaks through the possessed. These moments are sacred: 🔊Villagers ask questions about health, crops, or future events. 🔊The god may warn of a coming danger or demand rituals be performed. 🔊Sometimes, justice is delivered—truths spoken, lies exposed. 🔔"Ye devta bol rahe hain, koyi jhooth nahi chalega."🔔 (“It is the god speaking—no lie will be tolerated.”) It is law beyond law, truth beyond proof. 🚩The Body as a Vessel: The possessed person often has no memory afterward. Once the spirit departs, they collapse or return to normal with exhaustion. For the villagers, it’s a blessing. For the chela, it's a surrender. Locals believe such possession occurs only in pure-hearted, devoted, and ritually clean individuals. These people often undergo intense spiritual training, fasting, and isolation before they can be chosen. 🚩The Spiritual Science Behind It: While modern minds see Avesham as trance or hysteria, mountain communities see it as sacred science: The sound of drums, the fragrance of incense, the mantras, the altitude—all create an altered state of consciousness. The high Shakti sthals (power spots) in these regions enhance spiritual sensitivity. The belief system, reinforced for centuries, forms a psychological and mystical container strong enough for possession to occur. ..... ...... Here is alist of prominent places in Himachal PradeshwhereAvesham(Deity Possession) orDevtā Aavāshanis still widely practiced as part of living tradition, particularly during religious festivals, rituals, or temple ceremonies: 1. Kullu Valley::::::::::::⛰ Notable Deities:🛕 Jamlu Devta (Malana)🛕 Raghunath Ji (Kullu)🛕 Hadimba Devi (Manali)🛕 Tripura Sundari Devi🛕 Bijli Mahadev🛕 Occasions: Dussehra (Kullu Dussehra, where hundreds of deities gather and some possess their carriers or chelas) 2. Malana Village:::::::::::⛰ Deity: Jamlu Rishi Devta🛕 Highly revered. The deity often "speaks" through an oracle or chela, especially when communal decisions or justice is needed. 3. Chamba District ::::::::::::⛰ Deities: Chamunda Devi🛕 Bharmani Mata🛕 Manimahesh Yatra often features instances of trance or possession states Villagers and pilgrims have witnessed divine possession near sacred spots like Bharmour and Chhatrari. 4. Mandi District :::::::::::⛰ Deities: Kamrunag Devta🛕 Tungasi Devta🛕 Shikari Devi🛕 During major devta sammelans and fairs, the devtas possess mediums and answer community queries. 5. Sirmaur District ::::::::::⛰ Deities: Renuka Devi🛕 Bhangayani Devi (linked to Shillai and Haripurdhar)🛕 Avesham is common during Navratri and annual melas, where goddesses express their will through women or chelas. 6. Shimla and Rohru Belt :::::::::⛰ Deities: Kali Mata (Hatkoti Temple)🛕 Chandika Devi (Kharapathar and Koti)🛕 Women often go into divine trance; local priests or chelas act as oracles. 7. Kinnaur ::::::::::::⛰ Deities: Kinner Kailash Guardians🛕 Chango Devi, Mathi Devi (Chitkul)🛕 The Kinnauris blend Hinduism and Tibetan Bon traditions. Oracular possession during festivals like Fulaich is significant. 8. Lahaul-Spiti ::::::::::⛰ Though predominantly Buddhist, some areas have Bon and pre-Buddhist shamanic practices involving trance and spirit communication. 9. Bilaspur :::::::::::⛰ Deities: Naina Devi🛕 Gugga Jaharveer Devta🛕 During melas, possession episodes are recorded, especially involving oracles resolving disputes. 10. Hamirpur and Kangra :::::::::⛰ Deities: Chintpurni Mata🛕 Brajeshwari Devi🛕 Jwalamukhi Devi🛕 Possession states during Navratras and community rituals are still part of rural belief systems. 😱Avesham (Deity Possession) in Kullu Valley, Himachal Pradesh What is Avesham? In the Kullu Valley, “Avesham” or “Devta Aavash” refers to a sacred state of divine possession, where a deity is believed to temporarily enter and communicate through a chela (medium) or gurr (oracle). These manifestations often occur during festivals, community gatherings, or moments of spiritual decision-making. In the Kullu region, deities are not seen as distant entities but as living rulers (rajās) of the land. They have their own temples, palanquins (rath), priests, and oracles, and participate in festivals, give orders, and even settle disputes through possession states. 1. Jamlu Devta (Malana Village)::::🛕 Deity Type: Rishi Devta (Sage-God), local form of Rishi Jamadagni Temple: Ancient wooden temple in Malana village Possession Rituals: The kardar (spokesperson) and gurr (oracle) are chosen by the deity. During community crises or disputes, the devta possesses the oracle to deliver judgment. Avesham is accompanied by tremors, intense vibrations, head movement, rhythmic speech in a trance-like state. Belief: Jamlu Devta’s word is final in all village matters. Even police or government officials are not permitted to interfere in his judgment. Local Legend: It’s believed that Jamlu Devta dictated the rules of Malana, and even Alexander the Great's army couldn’t harm the village due to the Devta’s protection. 2. Raghunath Ji (Kullu):::::🛕 Deity Type: Form of Lord Rama; presiding deity of the Kullu Valley Temple: Raghunath Temple, Sultanpur (Kullu town) Possession Occurs: During the grand Kullu Dussehra, when hundreds of devtas come in procession and are seen to possess their chelas. Raghunath Ji himself is said to command the actions of subordinate devtas. Ritual Act: During Harayanas (spiritual assemblies), oracles enter trance and deliver divine messages. Drums (dhol), trumpets, and chants accompany the moment of possession. Cultural Role: Seen as the “king” of all devtas in the valley. Other deities bow before his palanquin during Dussehra. 3. Hadimba Devi (Manali) ::::::::🛕 Deity Type: Rakshasi turned goddess; wife of Bhima from the Mahabharata Temple: Ancient pagoda-style temple in Old Manali Possession Sign: Women often fall into trance when praying deeply or during local fairs. Hadimba is considered fierce and protective, and her presence is often sensed with sudden chill, goosebumps, and the chela’s change in voice. Role in Local Culture: Believed to protect the valley and especially women. Local priests interpret her will when she possesses individuals during her annual mela. 4. Tripura Sundari Devi :::::::::🛕 Deity Type: A fierce yet benevolent form of Devi Shakti Temple: Naggar region, closely associated with local kings Possession Practices: Oracles are generally young village girls or elderly women, who speak in an unfamiliar tone and provide predictions. During Navratri, possession is common as the Devi is “awakened” and rides her chela. Associated Beliefs: She is said to warn of disasters or grant boons through dreams and possession episodes. 5. Bijli Mahadev (Near Kullu Town) ::::::::🛕 Deity Type: Form of Lord Shiva Temple: Atop a hill at ~2,460m above sea level, reached by a trek from Chansari village Unique Phenomenon: Every few years, lightning strikes the temple and shatters the Shiva lingam, which is then joined back using butter and local rituals. Possession Instances: During festivals, chelas of Bijli Mahadev enter trance states and are said to predict when lightning will strike again. His energy is electric and wild—possession often comes with shaking, thunderous speech, and rolling eyes. Folklore: The deity absorbs the cosmic energy through lightning to protect the valley from calamities. 🌐Conclusion: Living Gods of Kullu ::::::::::::::: In the Kullu Valley, Avesham is not considered superstition but a living interface between god and people. The Devta Culture (Devtā Sanskriti) of Himachal recognizes the divine in everyday governance, law, and nature. These possessions are respected, not questioned. For many, faith, nature, and the divine are one and the same, especially when the gods “descend” into the body of a humble villager to guide the community. . . ..........Continues..........next Chapter Coming soon. Author Note: if you like my novel, please comment and like so that I can write next chapter. 🙏 #deitypossession #avesham #himanchal #indianculture #indiantradition #incredibleindia Kantara Is A Real Story - Tantric Breaks Down The Climax / TRS Clips https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEjLwl35YMo