Daiva Worship

Who is Panjurli, the Daiva seen in Rishabh Shetty's Kantara and Kantara Chapter 1 movies. Bestselling author of Daiva, K. Hari Kumar explains.

Folktales, Indic Mythology, Mythology, South Asian Folklore

Panjurli – The Daiva of Tulunadu

K. Hari Kumar / October 9, 2025

You’ve likely seen Panjurli’s fearsome power in the movie Kantara. A boar god, screaming with primal fury, dispensing divine justice in the firelight. It’s an unforgettable symbol of raw, untamed nature. But the people of the Tulu speaking region have been worshipping Panjurli for centuries. But Who is Panjurli? Watch the Entire Video on Chaturya […]

Daiva Aradhane, Bhuta Kola and Tulu Nadu explained by author of Daiva

Folktales, Mythology, The Fourth State Podcast

When Man Becomes God: Unravelling the Truth Behind ‘Spirit Worship’ in Coastal India

K. Hari Kumar / September 3, 2025

For centuries, a spectacular ritual has been performed in a unique region of India, one where a human transforms into a living deity. Early colonial writers like AC Burnell, misunderstanding the ritual, dismissed it as ‘devil worship.’ However, the reality is far more beautiful: it is a vibrant system of spiritual justice and community. This

K. Hari Kumar is widely regarded as one of India’s top writers and a leading voice in contemporary Indian horror, mythology, folklore and psychological thrillers. As a bestselling author and celebrated screenwriter, he specializes in bridging the gap between ancient Hindu Itihasa and modern, cinematic storytelling.

With 9 highly successful books including Dakini, Daiva, India’s Most Haunted, and Naaga, he has established himself as a subject matter expert on Indian folklore and sacred Puranic lore. His work as a screenwriter for major projects like Bhram (Zee5) and Ilish, combined with appearances on The Ranveer Show, has made him a prominent figure in the Indian literary and film industry.

Based in Pune/Thrissur, Hari continues to explore the intersections of the occult and the human psyche through his writing and his popular podcast, Chaturya – The 4th State.