Religion Hinduism dominates among the population of Kinnaur, except in the border areas with Tibet, where Buddhism is prevalent due to Tibetan influence. The percentage of other religions is very low. There are virtually no Christians in the area. Gods from the Tibetan pantheon like Tungma and Milayung are worshipped along with Mahasu Devta and his other demonic relations who are gods in Kinnaur.

Village gods of Kinnaur. Credit: Karamjeet Singh

As in the rest of the western Himalaya, every Kinnauri village too has its own God. The village god through his hereditary oracle is responsible for almost every major decision -- marriages, disputes and the ingress of strangers into a village. In Kinnaur the village god usually displays 18 heads in a palanquin covered by a hairpiece made of Yak hair.