India is popularly referred to as the land of a thousand gods. But if you go deep into the interior of rural India, you will discover that there are hundreds and hundreds of deities worshipped by hardly any of the villages, families, or communities. They are not in large temples or scriptures. They reside in the woods, the fields, the rivers, and even on trees. They are the guardians of the land, the defenders of tradition, and the quiet observers of village life. But unfortunately, most of these gods are being forgotten now. As urbanization reaches the farthest limits of India, the stories, rituals, and legends surrounding these local deities are gradually disappearing.

Who Are These Local Deities?

Local deities are gods and goddesses who are religiously worshipped in a specific village or region. They tend to be associated with nature or local communities and are said to defend the land and people. All Indian states have their own collection of these village gods: In Tamil Nadu, there is Ayyanar, the guardian god who is usually stationed at the border of the village, sitting astride a horse with terracotta soldiers. In Maharashtra, Khandoba is revered by many as a god of farmers and warriors. In Karnataka and Kerala, there are numerous nature gods and forest spirits who are said to reside among the people and expect frequent rituals to keep them in good moods. In Odisha and Chhattisgarh, tribal societies have earth and ancestor gods of their own, remembered in oral tales. These deities might not have marble temples or golden crowns, but they are just as significant, if not more so, to the people who believed in them. Their shrines could be humble: a stone beneath a tree, a mud idol, or a painted wooden figure. But the belief people had in them was profound and firm.

Why Were They Important?

In the past, villages were isolated and self-contained. Humans relied on nature for all things, rain for agriculture, forests for firewood, and animals for food. Local gods were thought to be in charge of all these things. If it rained not rain, people appealed to the rain god. If one fell ill, they would offer a ritual so that they could appease the village goddess. These gods were close and not abstract. They were intimate and very much so in everyday life. These gods also helped to keep individuals in check. It was believed by most that lying, stealing, or hurting others would attract the anger of the local god. Rituals and festivals held society together, and legends made sure that the stories of these gods were being told to generations of children.

What Is Happening Now?

Over time, much has changed. The cities have expanded. Roads link even the most distant villages. Individuals are migrating to towns for employment. Television, mobile phones, and the internet have introduced new ideas and entertainment into village households. With this change, the role of local gods began to decrease. Later generations do not necessarily learn about the legends of their forebears. Age-old rituals are giving way to more mainstream religious practices. Sacred groves and natural areas previously thought to be sacred are being cut down to make way for buildings or agriculture. For the most part, villagers have substituted their distinct gods with more mainstream Hindu gods such as Shiva, Vishnu, or Ganesha. Though these gods are part of India's majestic tradition, the local gods are slipping away silently.

Kantara – A Movie That Changed Local Deities to Center Stage

In 2022, a Kannada movie called Kantara became popular with the masses in India. The film is about a village along the coast of Karnataka and how a community is passionately devoted to a local forest god. The god, who is worshiped through the ceremony of Bhoota Kola, is powerful, fierce, and strongly rooted to the earth and its people. The movie combines action, folklore, and spirituality, but essentially, it's a story about respect for nature, for custom, and for the local gods who have guarded the village for centuries. The god in Kantara does not reside in a large temple. Rather, he manifests himself through a ritual act by a mortal who is the "voice" of the god during festivals. The villagers not only worship the god but have a relationship with him, founded on respect and fear. Bhoota Kola, as with so many other rituals throughout India, is a means of storytelling and religious expression that informs people of their heritage. Kantara served to remind many watchers of the lost practices that lie outside of urban existence. It demonstrated that these gods of the villages are more than just ancient lore; they remain active in so many locations and need to be acknowledged.

Why Should We Care?

It's simple to assume that these customs are simply old superstitions, but there's more involved. Local gods aren't only about devotion, they have knowledge of the earth, the seasons, the flora, and the people. They are intricately connected with India's ecological wisdom. If sacred groves are cut down, it's not a tree that is felled, it's an entire system of faith, protection, and culture that is lost. When a local deity is forgotten, so is the oral tradition that has informed people for generations. And then these gods make India special. They illustrate how rich and diverse our cultural heritage is. To lose them would be to lose part of ourselves.

What Can Be Done?

The silver lining is that more and more people are attempting to revive and safeguard such disappearing traditions. Some of the things we can do are: Oral storytelling, recording: A lot of elders still recall the stories of the local gods. Recording these stories in books, movies, or even podcasts will help to keep them alive for generations to come. Popularizing local festivals: Fostering village festivals celebrating these gods and goddesses can preserve the tradition and even bring in tourists. Honouring sacred places: Sacred groves, trees, and stones must be preserved. They are not only religious sites, but also biological hotspots. Integrating folk culture in education: Rural schools can incorporate local history and traditions in their curriculum to instill local pride in impressionable minds.

A Living Heritage

The Indian village gods might not have grand followings or web pages. But they possess something much more profound, a living relationship with the earth and the people who live there. They make us realize that spirituality doesn't exist merely in grand temples or urban centers but also in the still fields, the gushing rivers, and the dark forests. As we progress in today's world, we must not abandon the old wisdom. The forgotten gods of Indian villages are not actually forgotten, not yet. They wait, in silence, for someone to listen, to recall, and to believe once more. Let us not forget the gods who never demanded a lot, only a little respect, a token offering, and a heart that remembers.

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