Yogis Of India And Nepal (PHOTOS)

The enigmatic world of sadhus, the vividly decorated or completely nude ascetics of
Hinduism, is explored in "Body Language: The Yogis of India and Nepal" at the Rubin Museum of
Art. Striking color photographs by Thomas L. Kelly capture extraordinary-looking male sadhus (as well as a female sadhvi), famously known as ascetics and yogis of South Asia.

Sadhus renounce worldly life, earthly possessions and social obligations to devote their lives entirely to religious practice and the quest for spiritual enlightenment, the ultimate goal in the Hindu religion. Sadhus embody this search for religious illumination, serving as living representations of spiritual and ascetic ideals. Though an important part of Hindu cultures, sadhus' commitment to attaining non-attachment and transcendence of the physical body leaves them on the fringes of society.

Thomas L. Kelly made his first trip to Nepal in 1978 as a Peace Corps volunteer, and has since
worked as a photo-activist, documenting the struggles of marginalized people and disappearing
cultural traditions all over the world.

Learn more about the "Body Language" exhibit at the Rubin Museum website.

1 of 14

Vaishnava Applying Tilaka

1 of 15

First Slide

Previous Slide

@

Vaishnava Applying Tilaka, 2000 Pashupatinath, Kathmandu, Nepal
A sadhu's body is a display of his ascetic identity; his clothes or nudity separate him from the populace, while his painted markings, called tilaka, indicate his focus of devotion. Ranging from a simple daub of color to complex patterns involving the entire face and other body parts, basic tilaka designs mark a sadhu's religious and sectarian affiliations and may incorporate elaborate, individual variations. The vertical design of this sadhu's tilaka shows him to be a Vaishnava, or follower of Vishnu, whose gentleness is reflected in his devotees and their clothing of white or yellow, the colors of purity and surrender.
After sadhus bathe to purify their bodies, they apply the tilaka while uttering mantras to sanctify their bodies, thus completing the ritual that transforms their body into a vessel worthy of receiving divine power and giving worship to a deity.

A Story of Redemption: My Secret Love for Garbage

gadgets/slideshows/194630/slide_194630_575494_small.jpg

Pat Robertson: Christians Bullying LGBT Kids In School Is Wrong

Belief In God: University Of Chicago Report Measures Countries With Highest And Lowest Strength

Mormonism Is The Fastest Growing Religion In Half Of U.S. States According To 2012 Religious Congregations And Membership Study

Grace Community United Church Of Christ, Which Stood Up For Gay Marriage, Faces Closure

Best Religion Tumblrs: 10 Must-Follow Tumblrs On Religion And Spirituality

Vaishnava Applying Tilaka, 2000
Pashupatinath, Kathmandu, Nepal

A sadhu's body is a display of his ascetic identity; his clothes or nudity separate him from the populace, while his painted markings, called tilaka, indicate his focus of devotion. Ranging from a simple daub of color to complex patterns involving the entire face and other body parts, basic tilaka designs mark
a sadhu's religious and sectarian affiliations and may incorporate elaborate, individual variations. The vertical design of this sadhu's tilaka shows him to be a Vaishnava, or follower of Vishnu, whose gentleness is reflected in his devotees and their clothing of white or yellow, the colors of purity and surrender.

After sadhus bathe to purify their bodies, they apply the tilaka while uttering mantras to sanctify their bodies, thus completing the ritual that transforms their body into a vessel worthy of receiving divine power and giving worship to a deity.

comments(245)

Total comments: 245 | Post a Comment

1 of 15

Rate This Slide

Rank #2  |  Average: 4

• 
  1
• 
  2
• 
  3
• 
  4
• 
  5
• 
  6
• 
  7
• 
  8
• 
  9
• 
  10

Current Top 5 Slides

loading...

Choose your Top 5 Slides

UserName

 | Become a fan

Picked These as the Top 5 Slides in the Slideshow

loading...

Top User Slides

← Prev|Next →

 | Become a fan

Picked These as the Top 5 Slides in the Slideshow

loading...

Users who voted on this slide

← Prev|Next →

loading...

Comments

[Skyler McLane]

08:55 PM on 07/11/2011

they would all laugh, or cry at all of our need to post and tear each other to shreds on HP.

[Dogma]

09:10 AM on 07/11/2011

Perhaps someone can answer my question: the sadhus come from (I think) northern India. So what would set them apart from the ones in South India?

[Jack Jones78]

10:20 AM on 07/12/2011

Nothing. Sadhus north and south are the same. Believe in either Vishnu or Shiva.

[Dogma]

10:51 AM on 07/12/2011

Thank you... Fanned for that.

And what philosophical differences are there between the ones who believe in Vishnu v Shiva?

[jamesindia]

12:05 AM on 07/10/2011

busheydanbushey, Have you heard of Karma, Yoga, Tantra, Mantra, Raga and so on? These are the intellectual ways of simple life and high thinking from Indian sub-continent! Hinduism is not a religion, it is a way of life. None of these yogis would prefer to come to USA for the luxury or material gain as it reflects in your comments. So, cool it...

[Fetus]

10:03 AM on 06/28/2011

15 photos without a single "picinic" basket makes me question whether these were true Yogis.

[Not your Mama]

10:40 AM on 06/28/2011

And where is my Booboo?

[roninroshi]

09:55 AM on 06/25/2011

Amazing photo's...Thank's

[leonethderosia]

01:17 AM on 06/22/2011

i think a true yogi actually knows God...it is incredible some of the things they can do

[Laura Amazzone]

11:17 PM on 06/19/2011

Exquisite photos! Wow!

[NMSun]

09:57 AM on 06/19/2011

Very enjoyable slideshow. For a beautiful video on tilaka also called bindi checkout http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVm9QENjBJk

[Iron100]

02:57 AM on 06/14/2011

These ascetic traditions gave birth to yoga and spirituality more than 3000 years ago. These people have no material attachment to the world. Mahavira and Buddha both became ascetics and learned most of their knowledge from ascetics of their time.

[Paul108]

10:47 PM on 06/13/2011

In "Textual Tilak," the Sanskrit reads in the normal direction on his forehead, but the bottom is written backwards as if using a mirror.

[FTracy3]

03:02 PM on 06/13/2011

Why don't they put on some clothes? I hate seeing Yogis Bare.

[SarcasticFringehead]

05:28 PM on 06/15/2011

Ouch!
That hurt.

[MarcEdward]

09:06 PM on 06/20/2011

Have a bobo?

[oneyippie]

02:26 PM on 06/13/2011

Thank you for this enlightening essay and photo gallery on the Yogis. What a great idea to document the cultures that are disappearing! Keep up the great work.

[sandalwood]

10:33 PM on 06/13/2011

This cultural aspect of India is not any danger of disappearing... far from it. Its well embedded in India, with countless Ashrams and sacred sites where millions of Sadhus congregate and move freely throughout the country.

[Iron100]

03:08 AM on 06/14/2011

actually many traditions that gave birth to modern religions jainism and buddhism do not exist in their original form. Search the "Ajivika" tradition.

[Js420]

02:06 PM on 06/13/2011

smoking Sadhu wana hang out?!

[Tolms]

12:56 PM on 06/13/2011

Very cool slide show, great photographs, interesting people.

[sana-dana]

11:23 AM on 06/13/2011

With no offenses to the 'Saadhus' - but during the period in which Indian society practiced 'Manu Smrithi' - there was a general distaste of people from taking up 'Sanyasa' or renunciation path was in less favor of general public than the path of 'Grahastha' or house-holder.
The social stratification was then taking place and much was at stake for the tax payer as the ruler was meant to take care of both the Saadhus & families that they left - so, it was a double burden for the general tax payer and hence it was less in favor rather than the house holder.
The negative effect of which happened due to the solidification of this social stratification that happened during that time and the general human bonding to the children happened and caste by virtue became caste by birth.
Siddhartha Gautama Buddha stood up against this and he called in for a non-cooperation movement against this social stratification by taking up the sanyasa order of thinking. Thus during the period of Aadhi Shankara, we see the opposite effect of Manu's order, in which there were lots of Sanyasis going about under the care of the King at the expense of tax payers.
All said and done, Sanyasa is an essential phase of 'Ashrama' part of the 'Varna-Ashrama-Dharma' system and the belief is that the Karmic cycle ends only when a person completes all 4 Ashramas ( or stages of life ) completely. Please correct me if I am wrong.

[artboxone]

01:59 PM on 06/13/2011

Unintelligible rubbish.

[Cichawoda]

11:11 AM on 06/24/2011

Just because you don't understand or don't care is not a reason to be rude.

[oneyippie]

02:24 PM on 06/13/2011

You seem overly concerned about excessive taxation. You must be a Republican.

[Cichawoda]

11:14 AM on 06/24/2011

He is pointing out a historical fact. Again what's with the rude remarks just because somebody posted something with a little history and deeper consideration of the topic — you must be a secret Faux news listener.