Kullu: A divine decree by Goddess Hadimba, the presiding deity of Manali, has warned Kullu natives against desecration of scared sites and directed them to keep politics away from the prevailing Devta traditions (Devniti) in the valley.
A parliament of 229 deities (Devi & Devtas) from Kullu, Mandi and Lahaul-Spiti called Jagti, represented by their oracles (Gurs), was convened at Naggar Castle in Kullu valley on 1st November, 2025 where Devi Hadimba expressed her anger at the environmental damage done to the valley.
Danvendra Singh, a representative (Kardar) of Lord Raghunath, the presiding deity of Kullu, detailed that the parliament of deities was convened to seek relief from the massive natural disasters befalling the state in recent years.
More than one oracle assembled at the Jagti asked for preserving the sanctity of Bijli Mahadev Temple, the Dussehra Grounds at Dhalpur in Kullu and other sacred sites in the valley.
“In these times, humans have become bigger than the Gods. If this continues, then be prepared to face the consequences,” warned the angry oracle alluding to the recurring natural disasters, said Danvendra.
A controversial ropeway project to Bijli Mahadev Temple for which some deodar trees have been felled had the oracles prophesize about more calamities hitting the valley because of desecration of sacred sites.
Devtas in Kullu-Manali valley and elsewhere in Mandi, Shimla, Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti districts are highly revered in and around the villages where they reside at sacred sites in temples, meadows, lakes or forests.
Speaking through their oracles these deities keep the moral compass to the people rooted to the timeless traditions of the region.
Often, in times of crisis, the people turn to their Devtas to seek divine guidance.
However, a Jagti in Kullu-Manali is rarely convened and it is done so when larger issues do become a concern to the valley residents.
A Jagti assembly held in 2007 had stalled a multi-million dollar Himalayan Ski Village project that had been approved by the state government. The large project threatened to take over a large chunk of pristine public meadow lands for a high end tourism project.
A theater artist, a script writer and a TV anchor, news is something that grips Renuka. She lives in Kullu.
