In India, a sadhu is a man who chooses to renounce himself from society in order to follow a spiritual path that will allow him to eventually become free from the cycle of death and rebirth. This sadhu will have already achieved kama (enjoyment), artha (practical objectives) and dharma (duty). However, he must first achieve moksha (liberation) before being fully released from this cycle.
It’s a beautiful philosophy, really. To give up your worldly possessions, to rely on the goodness of others and to spend your time in deep contemplation: meditating, praying and practicing yoga.
This sadhu sat at the main ghat leading down to the Ganga River in Varanasi. He was happy to pose when I tossed a few rupees into his bowl. Not to be a cynic, but I can’t help but wonder what he did with all the money that he surely collected from the many tourists passing by.
Travel Well,
Beth
Related links:
Women’s Tour to India with Beth
Photo of the Day: Reclining Buddha
Photo of the Day: Woman with Henna, India
Photo of the Day: Varanasi Saris
Photo of the Day: Bhutan Prayer Flags
Photo of the Day: Angkor Wat Monks
Photo of the Day: Babaji in Varanasi
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Peter Carey says
And where does he get all the marigolds!
Gennaro says
That’s a classic image. I was in India this past summer and Varanasi was unreal. Sites and smells. Sadhus were interesting and so were the fake ones.
Jen@Heading North after Naptime says
That is an absolutely beautiful picture. You do such a fantastic job of capturing the life of a city or village. I love to look through your photos.
jessiev says
oh!! what colors!! gorgeous, beth!
Lauren says
This is just beautiful. I learn so much from your photos and story captions. Really. Thank you!
DeliciousBaby says
Absolutely beautiful.
Lorraine Akemann says
Stunning colors and image. This kind of photograph transports you right to the scene. Thank you for sharing this.
Linda says
Thanks for sharing this photo and story.
Nik says
Very interesting photo Beth. Wonder about the colors and the robes.. are all ‘sadhus’ dressed like that? Or are they free to mix n match whatever they can scrape from their surroundings?
I think I see a gold-ish outer layer that can either be.. cheap, junk, gold-colored plastic waste,.. or gold-layered, well-crafted uniform given to all ‘sadhus’.. ha! π
globalgal says
I had the same question as Nik – are all sadhus dressed like this? I love the colors.
Not the kind of thing I think of when I think of an ascetic!
Carolina says
Those are great colors, was it around sunset time? Because the lighting seems to compliment his clothing so well.
Dominique says
Definitely drawn to the gorgeous colors (I love yellows/oranges/reds). Such a contrast to the battered background.
I do love logging on and seeing your exotic images π
Beth says
@ Gennaro – How do you tell a fake sadhu from a real one π
@ Nik – I think that most sadhus wear something in the orange palette but they have some flexibility as they are all dressed differently.
@ Caroline – I don’t recall the time of day, probably early to late morning.