Heart of India Photo Journal Two: 12 Sadhus, Ect.

By Judy and Les Conklin,

To Hindus, a sadhu is a religious ascetic or holy person who is solely dedicated to achieving liberation from the world through meditation and contemplation. They often wear saffron-colored clothing, symbolising their renunciation of material attachments. They live in caves, forests, and temples all over Nepal and India. There are naked sadhus who wear their hair in thick dreadlocks. Aghora sadhus may claim to keep company with ghosts and live in cemeteries as part of their holy path.

There are 4 to 5 million sadhus in India, supported by donations from many people. However, reverence is not universal in India. Sadhus are often viewed with suspicion, particularly among the urban populations of India. Today, especially in popular pilgrimage cities, where posing as a sadhu can be a means of acquiring income for non-devout beggars; e.g. posing for a picture and then demanding money.

During our trip we visited two of India’s most popular pilgrimage cities, Pushkar and Varanasi. In most cases it was difficult to differentiate “real” sadhus from beggars posing as sadhus. Most stood silently holding a bowl or can for a donation. However, there were several other “sadhus” who asked for money when we took their photograph.

If you are interested in learning more about sadhus, we suggest  “Nine Lives: In Search of the Sacred in Modern India” by William Dalrymple. If you are planning a visit to India, be sure to read this book.

Sadhu, Jaipur. Photo by Judy Conklin

Sadhu, Jaipur. Photo by Judy Conklin

Sadhu, Varanasi. Photo by Les Conklin

Sadhu, Varanasi. Photo by Les Conklin

 

Sadhu, Pushkar. Photo by Judy Conklin

Sadhu, Pushkar. Photo by Judy Conklin

Sadhu, Varanasi. Photo by Judy Conklin.

Sadhu, Varanasi. Photo by Judy Conklin.

Girl, Pushkar. Photo by Judy Conklin.

Girl, Pushkar. Photo by Judy Conklin.

Sadhu, Pushkar. Photo by Judy Conklin.

Sadhu, Pushkar. Photo by Judy Conklin.

Man in Shop, Varanasi. Photo by Judy Conklin.

Man in Shop, Varanasi. Photo by Judy Conklin.

Musician, Pushkar. Photo by Judy Conklin

Musician, Pushkar. Photo by Judy Conklin

Sadhu, Pushkar. Photo by Judy Conklin.

Sadhu, Pushkar. Photo by Judy Conklin.

Sadhu?, Varanasi. Photo by Judy Conklin.

Monkey Owner Sought Payment for Photo Opportunity, Varanasi. Photo by Judy Conklin.

Sadhu, Pushkar. Photo by Judy Conklin.

Sadhu, Pushkar. Photo by Judy Conklin.

Sadhu, Pushkar. Photo by Judy Conklin.

Sadhu, Pushkar. Photo by Judy Conklin.

 Related Articles

Heart of India Photo Journal One: 17 Surprises

Heart of India Photo Journal Two: 12 Sadhus, Etc.

Heart of India Photo Journal Three: 18 Images of People, Places, and Monkies Too

Heart of India Photo Journal Four: 14 Snapshots Along the Way

Author: Les Conklin

Les Conklin is a resident of north Scottsdale He founded Friends of the Scenic Drive, the Monte de Paz HOA and is the president of the Greater Pinnacle Peak Association. He was named to Scottsdale's History Maker Hall of Fame in 2014. Les is a past editor of A Peek at the Peak and the author of Images of America: Pinnacle Peak. He served on the Scottsdale's Pride Commission, McDowell Sonoran Preserve Commission, the boards of several local nonprofits and was a founding organizer of the city's Adopt-A-Road Program.. Les is a volunteer guide at the Musical Instrument Museum.

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