Nepal: Eine Aghori Baba (eine heterodoxe Hindu-Sekte), Pashupatinath, Kathmandu. Sie sind, verschiedentlich, als Sadhus (Heilige oder 'gute'), Yogis (asketische Praktizierende) bekannt, Fakiren (asketischer Sucher nach der Wahrheit) und Sannyasine (wandernde Bettelmönchen und Asketen). Sie sind die asketischen – und oft exzentrischen – Praktizierenden einer strengen Form des Hinduismus. Geschworen, irdische Wünsche abzuwerfen, entscheiden sich manche dafür, als Anchoriten in der Wildnis zu leben. Andere sind weniger pensioniert, vor allem in den Städten und Tempeln des nepalesischen Kathmandu-Tals.
Dieses Bild kann kleinere Mängel aufweisen, da es sich um ein historisches Bild oder ein Reportagebild handel
They are known, variously, as sadhus (saints, or 'good ones'), yogis (ascetic practitioners), fakirs (ascetic seeker after the Truth) and sannyasins (wandering mendicants and ascetics). They are the ascetic – and often eccentric – practitioners of an austere form of Hinduism. Sworn to cast off earthly desires, some choose to live as anchorites in the wilderness. Others are of a less retiring disposition, especially in the towns and temples of Nepal's Kathmandu Valley. If the Vale of Kathmandu seems to boast more than its share of sadhus and yogis, this is because of the number and importance of Hindu temples in the region. The most important temple of Vishnu in the valley is Changunarayan, and here the visitor will find many Vaishnavite ascetics. Likewise, the most important temple for followers of Shiva is the temple at Pashupatinath. Vishnu, also known as Narayan, can be identified by his four arms holding a sanka (sea shell), a chakra (round weapon), a gada (stick-like weapon) and a padma (lotus flower). The best-known incarnation of Vishnu is Krishna, and his animal is the mythical Garuda. Shiva is often represented by the lingam, or phallus, as a symbol of his creative side. His animal is the bull, Nandi, and his weapon is the trisul, or trident. According to Hindu mythology Shiva is supposed to live in the Himalayas and wears a garland of snakes. He is also said to smoke a lot of bhang, or hashish. The Aghori or Aghora are a Hindu sect believed to have split off from the Kapalika order (which dates from 1000 AD) in the fourteenth century AD. Many mainstream Hindus condemn them as non-Hindu because of their taboo violating heterodox practices. Aghoris or Aughads command extreme reverence from rural populations as they are supposed to possess powers to heal and relieve pain gained due to their intense practices. Aghori are denizens of the charnel ground.