Traveling to Jejuri was an experience Holwitt has been waiting for ever since he finalised his study subject. “It was fascinating to see all the texts coming alive in front of my eyes. The temple architecture is beautiful,” he said, adding that he is glad to have witnessed the ritual where devotees throw turmeric powder, an offering to Khandoba, in the temple. “I was totally simmered with turmeric powder. This ritual took away all the difference and I became one amongst them,” he quipped. “I hope to finish the study by December”.

Apart from Jejuri, the tribal Siddhis of Gujarat, mental health in India and Dalits and political movement are the other topics chosen for field study by a group of five students from Westsaelische Wilhelms Universitaet (university) of which Holwitt is a part.

They are in India with the help of Tata Institute of Social Science, Mumbai.