The Bhutas are considered as nature spirits or demigods, much like the yakshas, who are believed to demand propitiation from local people in return for protection of cattle, warding off disease, and protection of villagers from evil. This prehistoric ritualistic form of idol worship is usually seen among non-Brahmin, Tulu speaking castes in Mangalore, Karnataka. Worship is often not conducted with an icon but staged rituals. Though now primarily confined to Coastal Karnataka, Bhuta cults once existed all over India under different names and forms.
The sculptures are found in temples dedicated to Hindu gods. The carving of Bhuta figures has been a hereditary profession. The type of wood used is the halsa or untreated jack wood, carved and painted. A rough sketch is first done with a pencil on the wood’s surface, unwanted wood is then removed layer by layer in large quantities. The same process of removing the wood is continued in small quantities using scraping tools to give finer details. It takes about three months to complete small idols and four to five months for bigger idols as per the intricacy of the design.
