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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.

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Dr. B.R. Sharma was born on may 11, 1935 at village Kuthera (Marhana) in district Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh. He did his Ph.D. from Punjab University on folklore of the tribal area of kinnaur through his work entitled ' Kinnar Lok Sahitya'.

Considered an authority on Himalayan culture and linguistics, he has written extensively on these subjects through his numerous books and articles.

He remained a senior Research Fellow with Anthropological Survey of India and a Fellow of the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, Shimla.

Besides holding key positions in the Department of Languages & Culture, Himachal Pradesh. He remained Secretary of Himachal Academy of Arts, Culture and Languages.

The present work was one of his last, before he passed away on April 20, 2006.