Every year villagers of Khasrang who have domestic animals that graze in the forest, worship the invisible god of the forest, Shikari.
It is believed that Shikari god roams in the wild forest of the Khasrang protecting the wild animals and birds from the poachers, and also the domestic animals while grazing in the forest.
And if the family doesn’t worship the god, then he gets angry and hides their animals (goats, buffaloes and cows) while grazing in the forest.
Also if a villager wants to hunt the animal in the forest, then he should ask for permission first with an offering of chicken and worshipping. Otherwise, they won’t find any animals to hunt or their weapons won’t work.
People of Khasrang also say that they’ve heard a giant with huge bells on his neck roaming in the forest.
And if a person comes in front of him while he is roaming in the forest, then he will even eat a man.
So, villagers still continue believing the tale as long as they’re keeping thee domestic animals like goats, buffaloes and cows for livelihood. And for the protection of their animals from the wild animals and unseen diseases in the future, they keep worshipping the Shikari God: The protector of the wildlife.
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How Do People Worship Shikari God in Khasrang Village?
To worship Shikari god, people go to a designated place in Khaharey Khola. They clean the worshipping area then worship the stones representing Shikari god and Ban Gaudi goddess.
Villagers make offerings of an Egg to Ban Gaudi goddess and a Rooster (Male Chicken) to Shikari god for the protection of their domestic animals from wild animals while grazing in the forest and from unseen diseases in the future.
What Does Shikari Puja Reveal About Khasrang Village?
Shikari Puja reveals a beautiful, harmonious relationship between the people of Khasrang, their culture, traditions, lifestyle, and nature.
The villagers are practical, humble, and deeply spiritual rural folk who depend on livestock (goats, buffaloes, and cows) for their livelihood. They see the forest as a living, sacred space guarded by invisible divine forces. They believe Shikari God actively protects both wild animals/birds from poachers and their own domestic animals while grazing. This shows a worldview of respect mixed with healthy fear — they don’t see themselves as masters of nature, but as part of a spiritual balance where disrespect (like skipping worship) brings real consequences.
Their worship of Shikari God — the protector of wildlife — works as a highly effective traditional conservation system. By believing the god actively guards wild animals from poachers, the tradition creates a strong spiritual and moral deterrent against random or excessive hunting. The requirement to seek divine permission before hunting, plus the fear of angering the god (losing animals or failed hunts), naturally limits over-exploitation.
In a simple rural setting without modern laws or guards, their faith quietly protects biodiversity while also safeguarding their own livestock.
