In Maharashtra Hutatma is a respected name. Years ago an Indian diplomat was abducted and killed in London, his name was Ravindra Hutatma Mhatre and Hutamatma Chowk is a famous landmark in Bombay but the name didn’t quite catch on, its old name Flora Fountain is still the well recognizable address in Bombay. Hutatma as you can see is a combination of Sanskrit words 'hut' meaning dead (more likely slain) and 'atma' is of course soul, spirit rooh etc. In Garhwal we have equivalent for 'hutatma'; it is 'hanta' but the two words have entirely opposite connotation; ‘hanta’ is feared, ‘hutatma’ respected.
It is human tendency is fix a reason for occurrence of an event. If there is no clearly understandable and rational explanation then it is logical to assign supernatural reasons for such an occurrence. Indian system of medicine is one area that is largely based on empirical observation but when persistent remedy fails we have ‘hanta’ to explain the strange affliction. Hanta is agitated soul of a dead person trapped in fourth dimension; possibly a transient space where they reside until they avenge or correct a wrong that was meted out to it. Apparently there are rules that apply to conduct of a ‘hanta. A ‘hanta’ can pierce the dimensional screen and communicate or even take control of body of some persons having weak ‘grah’. In order to get their unfinished agenda accomplished they choose such a person take over his/her body. Then the possessed person begins to act strangely, talks and shows superhuman ability. These acts look so bizarre that first and only inference village folks make is; the person is possessed. The role of Bakki is to listen to this person, find out the reason for the possession and suggest remedy. Bakki is the communication medium between the living and the transient……..
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