Paper short abstract:

In North India living images, called jhankis, are quite popular. Children, normally young boys, are dressed up and pose as Hindu deities while being looked at and worshipped by a devoted public. The paper will describe the proceedings and focus on the use of jhankis as 'temporary images'.

Paper long abstract:

In North India so-called jhankis were and still are quite popular. One or more persons present mythological or historical episodes while remaining silent and in a motionless posture. In this they correspond to what in Western traditions is known as <i>tableaux vivants</i> or living images. The most common forms in Himachal Pradesh are those in which children are dressed up and pose as Hindu gods and goddesses.

Jhankis may form part of family rituals which are limited private events. Besides this they may be publicly displayed during several major religious festivals like Janamasthami, Shivaratri and Holi. In this case they are paraded through the towns and often put up for a while on the village or town square. Responsible for the planning and carrying out of these events are so called “committees” usually formed by men from different castes and professions.

Many of the living images shown in Himachal Pradesh are meant to be more than simple displays of certain scenes and personages known from Hindu mythology. Actually the 'images' are often understood to be real embodiments of deities. While being presented they are treated like temple images or any other object of worship, i.e. are properly worshipped by a devoted public.

The paper will describe the preparation, presentation and ritual use of these images focussing especially on their characteristics as 'temporary images'.