Discovery Channel Presents Shamans Of The Himalayas A Story of Ultimate Spiritual Prowess of Wisdom and Divinity
New Delhi: India’s leading factual entertainment network, Discovery Channel brings launches an exciting new series - Shamans of The Himalayas. Directed and presented by the acclaimed filmmaker Anu Malhotra, the series sets out to explore a mythical and magical world of the Himalayas. Shamans of The Himalayas is a quest to unveil the mysteries that have forever surrounded the Himalayas and the dwellers of the region.
A four-part series, SHAMANS OF THE HIMALAYAS will premiere every Saturday at 11pm starting 13th July only on DISCOVERY CHANNEL.
The exhilarating new series traverse through the beautiful landscape nestled under the shadow of the majestic Himalayas - the picturesque Kullu Valley, also known as ‘Dev Bhoomi’, The Land of Gods. In the exploration of the ‘different reality’, the series witnesses unique and never before documented sacred rituals, magical — religious practices, traditional healing techniques and exorcisms practised in the region. In this series, Anu interacts with spellbinding Shamans, who are oracles, trance mediums and healer and gets a glimpse into their personal stories and struggles.
She makes this journey intimate for the viewers by juxtaposing her internal experiences with the compelling world that she travels.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM EPISODES:
The Dance of the Divine
In this episode, Anu meets up with Meru, her local guide, who helps her get a deeper insight into the cultural context of Himachali Shamans (Gur). Meru takes her to a vibrant village festival, celebrating the birthday of Hadimba Devi, a powerful demon Goddess, where Anu encounters her first Shaman. Gur Tularam ritually invokes Hadimba Devi, goes into an intense divine possession trance and then speaks as the Devi to her people
Cosmic Conversations
This episode shows how Meru takes Anu to meet Hardayal, the oracular Gur and witnesses his divination sessions, where locals chat informally with their Deity, through him. But Anu’s skepticism is shattered when she has her own up-close and personal encounter with Tej Singh, the Gur of a Snake God.
Sacred Healing
In this episode, Anu attends a festival devoted to mass-exorcism where she witnesses several women dancing wildly, apparently suffering from spirit possessions. Back in Delhi, Anu meets up with Dr. Sudhir Kakar again and also consults Prof. William Sax, an imminent anthropologist, to get an insight into the techniques and wisdom of the traditional healing practices she had witnessed.
The Divine Feminine
The final episode finds Anu in her final foray into the mystical world of Shamans, Anu meets Tuli Devi, the lone female shaman of Kullu Valley, who is a dramatic performer, an oracle, an exorcist, a healer and a great counselor - a reflection of the power of the Divine Feminine. A fitting end to her incredible journey is the awe-inspiring; mega-festival of the Kullu Dusshera. Here all the Shamans come together and create magic has to be seen to be believed. Anu’s year long journey finally comes to an end. It has been a transformative experience and a healing one. How? Well, you will have to watch the series to find out!
Media Contact:
Atul Malikram