Nagas
Khum Mela, Allahabad, India
Nagas are naked sadhus, or holy hobos, or wandering, homeless monks. They rely on gifts from strangers to survive, and these guys seem to be doing okay. They are attending the Kumbh Mela, a gigantic congregation of believers held every 12 years.
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Tim Dobe writes:
This image reminds me of my visit to Allahabad last year for the Mela. A Naga Baba came up to me, recited some kind of blessing over me and then tried to grab my shawl! A crowd gathered around us as he tugged at it and made threatening gestures. Fortunately some nice folks in the crowd helped me settle the matter without incident.
Dhiraj Chandwani writes:
My story of Naga’s is little different. Nagas often use what we call here in India Charus (Grass). We all know that drugs expands our consciousness, and so it does their. In expanding their consciousness they feel enlighten all time and live in their own world.
ashish dimri writes:
Nagas are monks who believe in Shaivism. They believe everything is Shiv. Most of these monks are highly learned and belong to high social status. Rampuri baba and Ganesh Baba are two such examples. Nagas are 100% liberals who live like small babies. For example, if they are hungry they eat, if feel tired they will sleep. Misconceptions about hinduism and Shaivism have painted negative picture about these harmless living souls.
Ironically,it is not indians but global scholars who accepted hindu way of life and enriched it many ways.
Pyare Jani writes:
Naga sect is vey ancient. They have the privilege of bathing first on kumbh mela day ahead of all other sects of sadhus or holymen. Ordinary people follow after the Holy men.
One of the stories about Naga Sadhus (who incidentally are trained in the use of weapons), is that they charged against Martta canons as a suicide brigade during the third war of Panipat. They were supporting Ahemed Shaw Abdali -- a Muslim -- as they thought Marattas (who were Hindus) were more dangerous to Hinduism!