Despite a predominance of Shakti and Shaiva cults Kumaon has a well developed and elaborate tradition of worshipping demigods -the celebrated heroes from the days of yore canonized with the passage of time in folk tradition. Prominent among the hierarchy of these deities are the Panchnam-Devas worshiped in one form or the other through out the Kumaon hills. Each of these much humanized deities have long ballads sung in their honour in colourful ritual worships called 'Jagars' (spirit possession Séance). Scholars consider it to be a remnant of some primitive religion prevalent in the region before the advent of the Aryans.
