How to Find Sadhus in India

According to Hindu teaching, sadhus are holy people. Seen as passing through the final stage of life, sadhus wander, sometimes naked, without homes and ownership, eating only what is offered to them (although some live in monasteries). Since there are at least several million sadhus in India, finding them is not challenging. You can determine a sadhu's Hindu sect by characteristic markings. Followers of Shiva, called Shaivites, apply crematory ashes in three horizontal lines to the forehead, or two line with a red dot between the eyebrows. Vaishnavites (followers of Vishnu) apply vertical stripes to their foreheads.

Instructions

1. 

   Attend Kumbh Mela, a sadhu gathering that occurs approximately every 4 years at various sites on the Ganges, India's holy river. Not for faint-hearted visitors, Kumbh Mela is an enormous gathering of every self-proclaimed holy man and woman. Activities include self-burials (see Resources below).

2. 

   Visit Shankaracharya of Kanchi, who are orthodox Brahmins. Living in monasteries, these monks do not wander without home and food. They also are politically active and influential. These activities seem to be antithetical to the sadhu ideal. A monastery is located in Shringeri, near New Delhi.

3. 

   Locate Shaiva Siddhanta of Tamil Nadhu in South India. Shaivites, Dancing Shiva, also called Nataraja is their focus and they recite the mantra "Om Namah Shivaya" in prayer.

4. 

   Visit the sacred Ganges to witness the essential Hindu sadhu, the Naga Babas. With dirty, matted hair and wild-eyes (and often stoned on marijuana), Naga Babas can be found wandering along the Ganges or sitting along the roadways. Naga Babas live in the open or under canvas covers. Opponents of Muslim and, later, British rule, Naga Babas are known to be warriors against oppression. If you are looking for the real thing, the final stage of Hindu life as taught in the Vedas, find the Naga Babas.

Tips & Warnings

• Finding Sadhus India

Resources

• Hindu Sadhu Guide, India
• The Holy Men of India
• Sadhus and Yogis of India
• Maha Kumbh Mela Schedule 2010
• Kanchi Shankaracharya