Hima Gukhai - A Huge Standing Megalith and Karbi Ritual site in Kahikuchi Village of Dimoria Zone of Kamrup Metropolitan District of Assam, India

Abstract (English)

This paper explores a prominent megalithic site located at Kahikuchi village in the Dimoria zone of Kamrup Metropolitan District, Assam, India. Central to this site is a large standing megalith of considerable scale, which serves as a ritual center for the Karbi community. Locally known as “Hima Gukhai Than”, the term “Hima” translates to “boundary,” “Gukhai” to “supreme elder” or “great leader,” and “Than” refers to “a sacred place,” collectively meaning “Supreme Boundary Stone.” Although the site lies outside present-day Karbi-inhabited areas, the Karbi people continue to perform rituals here at quinquennial intervals. This enduring practice reflects the deep cultural and spiritual value the site holds within their tradition. Employing an interdisciplinary methodology that integrates archaeological exploration, ethnographic fieldwork, and oral narratives, this paper seeks to understand the cultural meanings embedded in the megalith and the ritual practices associated with it. The study examines the material characteristics of the monument, the nature of the deity venerated, and the structure and symbolism of the ritual performance. It highlights how these practices have continued across generations, adapting to changing times while maintaining strong links to ancestral beliefs. By contextualizing the Kahikuchi megalith within the broader tradition of South Asian megalithism, this research contributes to anthropological discussions on ritual continuity and indigenous belief systems. The site exemplifies how prehistoric structures continue to serve as active loci of cultural identity and spiritual practice, embodying a dynamic interplay between the past and the present in indigenous worldviews.