The idea of smoking as a spiritual ritual dates back thousands of years, and the use of the chillum is plays an integral part of the lives of the Sadhus (wandering monks) in India, who use the chillum to smoke charas in veneration of the god Shiva.

Shiva is very commonly associated with the hemp plant; there is even an account whereby Shiva created the cannabis plant from his own body in order to purify the elixir of life. There is an association that cannabis use, while used in religious rites, is believed to cleanse sins and unite the soul with Shiva, and avoid the misery of hell in the afterlife.

Charas is the name given to a hand-made hashish, originating from Afganistan, Nepal, Pakistan and India. Despite its rich and long history, charas was made illegal in India in the 1980s, with possession carrying a ten year mandatory sentence. However, despite these draconian measures, (which have now, thankfully, been relaxed somewhat,) charas remained as popular as ever.

When smoking through the chillum, the charas would be placed in the top of the chillum, and a wet cloth wrapped around the base, to make the smoking much easier on the lungs. Before lighting the pipe, the sadhus would chant the many names of Shiva in worshipful veneration.

The smoking of the chillum is an incredibly social ritual in India, with very strict etiquette, and one which is almost impossible for an outsider to get correct the first time, however the biggest taboo would be to pass the chillum to the left within a smoking circle; the chillum must always be passed to the right.

Chillums are not the easiest way to smoke; you must never put your lips to the end of the chillum. Instead you must create a cup with your hands and draw the air heavily through this as someone else lights the pipe. This is one of the many reasons that chillums are such a social form of smoking, as it can never be done alone.