After being declared ritually dead, many live seculded life of mediation and hashish smoking <\/p>\n
THESE fascinating pictures give a glimpse into the lives of Nepals reclusive holy men known as Sadhus. <\/p>\n
They have left all materialistic and sexual pleasures behind to live a life devoted to God. <\/p>\n
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Their appearances vary from brightly coloured face paints, and decorations, to minimalistic practical clothing. <\/p>\n
But they all represent the fundamental values and meanings of Hinduism. <\/p>\n
Sadhus in Nepal are also well-known for smoking pot to gain a high level of meditation. <\/p>\n
Danish photographer Jan Moeller Hansen visited the ancient capital city of Kathmandu between 2013 and 2016 and documented the mysterious holy wanderers. <\/p>\n
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Chatting with a Sadhu is said to be either wildly puzzling or deeply insightful. <\/p>\n
Most speak Hindi, only few speak English. <\/p>\n
But if you now want to join these fellas you will have to do more than attend a language class. <\/p>\n
First the trainee holyman undergoes religious instruction after cutting all ties with his former life.That means binning your smartphone or tablet.In fact you must own no luxuries at all. <\/p>\n
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After waving goodbye to family and friends and the society they live in there is one more drastic step. <\/p>\n
People becomeholymen after being declared ritually dead they even attend their own funerals. <\/p>\n
They must then seek a guru to perform guruseva which means service and learn the ways of the Sadhu. <\/p>\n
But then you have to decide which of the many sects in Nepal to join. <\/p>\n
Each has their own rituals and rites of passage before allowing an individual to become a fully fledged Sadhu. <\/p>\n
Women can also become Sadhus and are known as Sadhvi. There are less of them but they nonetheless well regarded and follow the same quest for spiritual enlightenment. <\/p>\n
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Sadhus are a wandering group. They often take pilgrimages to numerous religious festivals around Nepal. <\/p>\n
Most celebrated of all is the festival of Sadhus in Nepal called Shivaratri which honours the Hindu deity Shiva. <\/p>\n
During this time visitors to the remote and mountainous country can see many Sadhus in Pashupatinath, which contains Nepals oldest and most revered Hindu temple. <\/p>\n
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We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk<\/a> or call 0207 782 4368 <\/p>\n<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Originally posted here: <\/p>\n Meet the wandering 'monks' who shun home comforts and even ... - The Sun<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" After being declared ritually dead, many live seculded life of mediation and hashish smoking THESE fascinating pictures give a glimpse into the lives of Nepals reclusive holy men known as Sadhus. They have left all materialistic and sexual pleasures behind to live a life devoted to God. Barcroft Media Their appearances vary from brightly coloured face paints, and decorations, to minimalistic practical clothing. Continue reading