{"id":79359,"date":"2023-11-11T10:27:00","date_gmt":"2023-11-11T04:57:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/instaastro.com\/blog\/?p=79359"},"modified":"2024-10-12T00:50:08","modified_gmt":"2024-10-11T19:20:08","slug":"aghori-sadhus-in-hinduism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/instaastro.com\/blog\/aghori-sadhus-in-hinduism\/","title":{"rendered":"Who Are Aghori Sadhus in Hinduism?"},"content":{"rendered":"

You have certainly seen people who walk around with chalk-smudged bodies and long beards. People call them Aghori Sadhus in Hinduism. You may mostly find them on the banks of holy rivers, especially on the Ghats of Banaras, the modern-day Varanasi. Let us understand the Aghoris from a visitor\u2019s point of view who had an encounter with them and went on to understand their activities, lifestyle and their distinct way of attaining Moksha. <\/span><\/p>\n

The visitor says that she thinks that they are by far the most mysterious and most misunderstood people on Earth. So, let\u2019s go and disprove some mysteries about them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"English<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Who are Aghori Sadhus?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

So, the visitor, a female, went to visit the 14 ghats of Banaras. Speaking of which, she said that the more you try to explore its holy streets, the more you find yourself lost. But then all her plans of action changed, and she got fixated on exploring the Aghoris. So, on a fine morning, she decided to visit the Harishchandra ghat, the home of Aghoris. She sat near the stairs that took to the base of the holy river Ganga. On her right, a few metres away, she heard sounds of breaking something.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

She saw some people breaking the bone remains left after cremation. Though scared, she approached them in curiosity. She could clearly describe the Aghori look. So, she saw a group of people who had chalk-type powder or charcoal powder, she recalls, applied all over their bodies and faces. They wore nothing except a locket of beads around their throat, a red-coloured short dhoti, carrying a Trishul in hand, signifying Mahadev or Shiv Shankar. They follow Shaivism (a practice where people worship Lord Shiva).<\/span><\/p>\n

Later, she learned that the charcoal powder on their bodies was nothing but the ashes of dead bodies. She was stunned, but she was determined to explore more. There are many different types of Sadhus, but that is pretty much how one can identify Aghori Sadhus in Hinduism.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also Read: What are Various Important Threads in Hinduism?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Lifestyle of Aghori Sadhu<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

The female visitor went to the ghat with a friend who called her from the back and asked her to join the boat ride he just arranged. She requested one of the babas or Sadhus there to join them and tell them in detail what they are, what they do and some things about their lifestyle. One Aghori Baba politely agreed. The details that she found are mentioned below.<\/span><\/p>\n