Kagbeni Village near Muktināth

OM MANI PADME HUM
	ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT TREKKING - MUKTINATH Kagbeni - Tatopani - Marpha - Jomson - Muktinath Muktinath Temple - Journey to the Rooftop of the World

- Sadhus - Babas - The Holy Men of India / Nepal -

Sadhus, also called Babas, are ascetically living mendicants which have renounced all worldly activities. They would like to attain spiritual inspiration by permanent penitence and ascetic lifestyle. The material world is considered as deception and illusion, called "Maya". This holy men therefore try to renounce this material world. Materialistic possesions like property, wealth and family attachments are declined, as well as rituals for karmic improvement. This asceticism creates the freedom to reach the Divine Reality.

Muktinath Sadhus in the year 2013

Muktinath Sadhus in the year 2012

Muktinath Sadhus in the year 2015

Muktinath Sadhus in the year 2008

Many of the Babas smoke Chillums, a tubelike hash pipe, Ganja or Charas (hashish). Shiva created and smoked this plant allegedly to enhance meditation. To smoke Ganja/Charas also helps against physical ailments and makes the body more robust against the cold. Although the Indian government provides severe punishment on drug possession, they generally tolerate the "smoking Sadhus" because of the "religious necessity".

Most of the Sadhus are followers of Shaivism, worship of Lord Shiva . They imitate Lord Shiva's pastimes and decorate their bodies similarly. With three horizontal lines of ash on the forehead, they extinguish the three impurities: Illusion (Maya), selfishness and greed. Many Shaivas also carry the trident (Trishul) and the hourglass-shaped drum (Damru).

Shiva-Sadhus always wear Rudrakshas (Tear of Lord Shiva),a seedlike fruit of an evergreen holy tree with a wide crown. This tree grows fast and carries these seeds/fruits within three to five years. Rudrakshas are noted for their divine protection and are worn on the body singly or as chains (Mala).

Sadhus in Budhanilkanth - Kathmandu/ Nepal 2008