AGHORIS: THE FEARLESS SADHUS OF INDIA

 

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India is a land that confines a distinctive cultural society that varies from region to region. If you tread to the northern region of India you will get yourself surrounded by delicacies, temples that demonstrate the architectural efforts of our Ancestors, and festivals that show the pride of that particular place.

On the contrary, the southern region of India has its own cultural identity that consists of distinctive tidbits, Dravidian style temples and a sui generis lifestyle. Albeit all the differences between the two dominant regions of the country, religious similarity unite the Indians into one unit.

Hinduism is the theology that gives shelter to different ideas regarding God. If you look at the present status of Hinduism you will find people who propagate distinguishable teachings regarding God and its divinity. We have Vedic Hindus who don’t believe in the idea of multiple Gods and idol worshipping on the contrary we have Vaishnavites (follower of Vishnu) and Shaivites (followers of Shiva) who love to preach about their respective Deities and their deeds by the help of Puranic tales. Among all these devotees the ‘AGHORIS’ stands out to be the fearless clan of Sadhus/Sages who don't opt for living in a materialistic society. Instead, they spend their time by enacting abstinence in the woods or funeral grounds. 

WHO ARE THE AGHORIS?

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The Aghoris are a specific group of Sages who are freed from acquisitive thoughts and are liberated from the shackles of family relations and human emotions most importantly fear.

Generally, the modern-day Hindus perceive them as a clan of sages who feed on the dead and wanders in the premises of the funeral ground. Some say that they get indulged in Tantric activities or perform Tapasya to please the god (Mahadev). This may sound a bit absurd but few of the Aghoris own spiritual powers to heal mankind.

The Aghoris possess long locks of hairs and a prominent Shaivaite Tilak designed on their forehead. They smear their body with the ashes of a dead person and cover their neck with bones and skeleton jewellery. Like normal Shiv Bhakts, they smoke Ganja (weed) but never encourage others to have it.

The Aghori sect was founded by an Ascetic named Baba Keenaram. It’s been said that he lived for 150 years and died around the mid 18^th century. Many spiritual preachers perceive him as one of the incarnations of Mahadev.

WHERE CAN YOU FIND THE AGHORIS?

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During the occasion of Kumbh Mela the Aghoris from different corners of the country flock into Uttar Pradesh for their holy dip in the Ganges. Correspondigly, the kamakhya temple situated in Assam is one of the favourite holy places for the Aghoris to enact their prayers to the Almighty.

POPULATION: The Media and most of the Hindus perceive them as one of the minor clans of Sadhus whose population is comparatively low, but in actuality, there are thousands of Aghoris scattered all around India and most of the people don’t have any idea regarding their place of residence because they spend their days amidst the forests and cremation grounds.

MISREPRESENTATION OF AGHORIS BY THE MEDIA:

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Whether its media or the so-called Anti Hindu fanatics, these people never hesitate to delineate Hinduism in a wrong manner. With the increased rates of fake Babas and Gurus dominating our society the media and most of Hindus had started to doubt the original and genuine teachers of Sanatan Dharma who possess the knowledge to propagate the ideality and true colours of Hinduism. Aghoris were a hot target for the media and the left lobby due to which most of the people (including Hindus) consider them as dangerous and above all Man-eaters. But in reality, they are conducting their task of praying to Almighty Shiva. They don’t slay people to eat their flesh instead they eat the flesh of a dead person once in their life. They don’t encourage the young generation to smoke weed in the name of Shiva.

What makes them great is their deprivation from emotional desires, their fearlessness to face any problems or barriers, their penance to experience the divine presence of Mahadev is beyond our capabilities.

To be honest, finding a true Aghori in this era is way difficult and scarce because most of the Aghoris we descry nowadays may turn out to be a pretender who pretends to be a real one. If you ever desire to search for a true Aghori you have to explore forests and cremation grounds.

 The Aghoris don’t like to live in a civilized society where people are attached by emotional bonding they prefer to live in a place that is free of emotional attachments and sinful intentions. Due to this reason, they prefer to inhabit the woods and funeral grounds. 

  Ultimately, I would like to conclude by saying that India is a land of distinctive culture, historical greatness and UNSOLVED MYSTERIES. The Aghoris are an integral part of India’s cultural diversity and identity which will never be altered.

Om Namah Shivaay