Chillums made of clay, stone or wood were used by Hindu monks in the Himalayan area since 18th century to smoke opium, cannabis and other narcotics or herbs.

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A chillum, or chilam, is a straight conical pipe with end-to-end channel, which is said to have originated in India, although some were found in South America too. Therefore the exact origin of the chillum is unclear. In India they are made locally, are inexpensive and easily available. The chillum was first introduced in Europe and the US by the hippie movement in the sixties of the last century. Traditionally, chillums made of clay, stone or wood were used by Hindu monks in the Himalayan area since 18th century to smoke opium, cannabis and other narcotics or herbs. Today they are used by stoners everywhere. Inside the chillum is filter stone to prevent the weed (or whatever it is that your smoking) from falling into your mouth. Today, some chillums come with an attachment at the top that can hold a lighter. Smaller chillums bring hot smoke directly into your lungs. The larger the chillum, the colder the smoke and the more you get in your lungs.

Traditionally, chillum has been used in a spiritual context. The Indian Sadhu's have been smoking chillums for thousands of years, and the spiritual meaning of this is comparable to the drinking of red wine by Catholics. The Sadhus have renounced their worldly life, said goodbye to both their possessions and their families, and now lead a life of celibacy, ascetic yoga, and a search for enlightenment. Most make pilgrimages across the subcontinent and spread ashes on their body, while the most radical test themselves by holding one arm in the air for years on end or spending twenty-four hours a day standing up. A far more pleasant and widespread characteristic, however, is the tendency to get stoned out of their minds on a regular basis. They smoke chillum and for them this is the way to merge with Shiva. The Sadhu usually wears on his forehead the three lines of the god’s trident drawn in ash or sandalwood paste which may be vertical or horizontal. Endless variations of these sectarian marks, depending on the sect, are possible. They may decorate their bodies with various lines and markings, cover the entire torso with ashes, carry a metal trident and wear rosaries. The hair and the beard are uncut and matted.
Bum Bum Bhole ~ Boom Shankar!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻