Days of deities in poll-bound HP

Pratibha Chauhan in Shimla

Rooted deep in tradition and culture, a majority of the people of Dev Bhoomi, which boasts of a high literacy level, second only to Kerala, have firm faith in their deities whose command determines every single decision of their life. And when the people have such unflinching faith in their deities — their “biggest protector” — then it is natural for the netas, especially during election days, to seek their blessing. 

It is very fascinating to see how every individual takes all important decisions of his life in consultation and approval of his protector, his kul devta (family deity). The influence of the local devis and devtaas in the overall life of the people of the area is far more pronounced in districts like Shimla, Sirmour, Kinnuar, Kullu and Chamba than in the lower belts. “It may sound astonishing, but even today majority of the people of Kiar Koti area which is now part of Kasumpti Assembly segment on the suburbs of Shimla believe that at least one vote from their family must go to the Rana or the descendant of the Raja or else they will be cursed,” says BJP MLA Suresh Bhardwaj (Shimla Urban). 

Anirudh Singh, the scion of the Kiar Koti royal family, is the sitting Congress MLA from Kasumpti and clearly gets the benefit of this faith among the people. Two brothers-in-law of Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh — Beer Vikram Sen and Prithvi Vikram Sen — have joined the BJP. Being descendants of the Raja of Junga they too could be beneficiary of this faith among people. Wife of one of them had contested the 2012 Assembly election as an independent from Kasumpti. 

Similarly, the Churaha area in Dodra Kawar area of Rohru Assembly segment was known for voting in the elections as per the directive from the local deity “Jabbal Narain.” Sensing this devotion among the people, the politicians have used it to the hilt in the past as the goor (person through whom the deity speaks) indicates that the people must vote in favour of this candidate or party. Though this trend is on the decline in recent years, it is not completely lost. 

The situation in Kullu district, also known as Valley of Gods, is no different. Internationally famed Kullu Dasehra is the perfect example of how deities command respect and are intrinsic in the life of the locals. “Use of religion for meeting political ends is the worst crime one can commit, though I am often accused of doing so,” says Maheshwar Singh, scion of the erstwhile rulers of Kullu royal family and BJP MLA from Kullu. He is the chharibardar (chief caretaker) of Lord Raghunath and leads the rath yatra of deities during Dasehra festival.

He says there should be no government interference in temple affairs as it should be left to the respective kardaars (caretakers) to manage temple affairs. With the government takeover of the Lord Raghunath temple in Kullu being dragged to court, it would not be wrong to say that religion and politics are inseparable in Kullu. Accused of using religion for maintaining political command, Maheshwar says he and his family would be doomed if they ever tried to use religion for meeting political ends. 

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh is another politician known to have unwavering faith in deities. Known to be an ardent believer of goddess Bhimakali, whose temple is at Sarahan, the erstwhile seat of the rulers of Bushair estate, the “Raja” makes it a point to pay obeisance before the deity on every Ashtami during Navratras, leaving aside even the most important commitments. 

A total of 28 temples in the state are under the control of government as per the Himachal Pradesh Hindu Public Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 1984.  There is a committee constituted by the government for managing the day-to-day affairs of the temple. There is a lot of political interference in appointment of the Trust members of government-controlled temples.

Every neta across the political spectrum starts his election campaign after paying obeisance in the temple of his kul devta or devi (family deity). The upkeep and maintenance of these temples is rather good with the local Minister, MLA or MP making it a point to ensure free flow of money for temple management, irrespective of whether it is under Government control or not. 

However, there are many leaders who feel the politicians should stay away from interfering in religious affairs. “It is such a pity to see Raj Mahadev deity of Mandi wait for the VVIPs like the CM and other ministers before the Shobha Yatra begins during the Shivratri fair,” says an MLA. He strongly feels that religious matters should be left to priests and religious heads. 

Govt’s nazrana

As many as 260 deities congregate at the Dhalpur ground in Kullu town during Dasehra though the invitation is extended to 305 devi-devtaas. Interestingly, the government pays a nazrana to each of these deities, which is determined on the basis of the distance they travel and their status. 

There are 28 government-controlled temples in the state. There is a committee for managing the day-to-day affairs of the temple. There is a lot of political interference in appointment of the trust members of government-controlled temples.

How this youngster’s plans changed

Roop Singh is a young plus-two-educated lad from a remote village of Badgraon in Bharmour area of Chamba district. He was all set to fly to Rome, having landed a job with an Indian settled there. He got his visa and all other formalities completed and came home to bid goodbye to his family. He presented himself before his deity seeking its protection in an alien land. The ‘goor’ (the person through whom the deity speaks) warned him: it would not be in his interest to go abroad. 

Despite repeated assurances by some friends, that everything will go fine for him, he dropped his plans to fly overseas. While many people told him that he was making a wrong decision, his unwavering faith in his deity made him change his mind. It’s a different matter that two years later he landed a descent government job, which only reiterated the family’s faith in their deity. 

Despite the best of education, good jobs and an equally affluent lifestyle, for most people, their deity is supreme. 

“Be it my career decision, a job abroad or my marriage, I sought the approval and blessings of my deity each time as the deity is my biggest protector,” says Aarav Chauhan, an engineer and management professional based in Berlin. He belongs to Jubbal.