Smoking chillums have been used traditionally in spiritual context by Indian sadhus and is quite similar to the practice of drinking red wine among Catholics. Chillums were used by people for smoking various things like charas and opium. In India, chillums have been used by sadhus during their invocations to the Hindu God Shiva. The chillum is shared by the group of sadhus who sit together and chant Shiva’s name.

The chillum should not be touched with the lips; in order to avoid doing so, the chillum’s mouthpiece is cupped between two hands so that the smoke could be inhaled without the person touching the chillum. Usually the herb is placed in the chillum’s bowl and a filter placed over its mouthpiece. The chillum is then ready to be smoked. Heat the smoke up by taking a few puffs at short intervals and follow with a deep breath. You can enjoy smoking chillums by keeping the smoke in your lungs for a longer period.