Anu Malhotra’s Shamans of the Himalayas explores the extraordinary world of Dev Bhoomi, The Land of Gods, in the picturesque Kullu Valley of Himachal Pradesh. At the forefront of this investigation are powerful shamans who mediate between the material and spirit worlds, acting as key conduits between the mortal and the divine. Her work delves into the therapeutic aspects of Indian shamanism, investigating the healing practices employed by Himachali shamans and their use of ritualistic tools.

The book also highlights the profound connection between shamans and the communities, emphasising the socio-cultural and psychological dimensions of their practices. With unique access to the enigmatic shamans of the Kullu Valley, she is witness to and experiences rare and never-before-documented sacred rituals, magico-religious practices, traditional healing techniques and exorcisms.

This extraordinary work brings to life a world where the ordinary and the occult coexist, where myth, magic and the pulls and pressures of the contemporary world come together in a heady mix. A world where every valley and village is home to several gods and goddesses who are fervently revered by the people as ‘living gods’.

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