The monks who follow strange rituals and habits - the Aghoris. A small group of Vamacharic ascetic Shaiva Sadhus who engage in post-mortem rituals. They often dwell in charnel grounds, smear cremation ashes on their bodies, and use bones from human corpses for crafting kapalas (skull cups) and jewellery.
Their aborigine dwelling, the food they eat, the way they pray and their rather strange customs have always left people in awe of fear.
Who are the Aghoris?
The Aghoris are just one of the innumerable sects of Shaivik monks found in India. What makes them popular among them is the lifestyle and customs and rituals they follow that are not expected of ordinary monks.
The Aghoris who live in charnel grounds and eat dead bodies say they find purity in all of the world. Though there are no special temples dedicated to these devotees, they are worshipped in many places.
There are many temples believed to be frequented and worshiped by the Aghoris.
One among them is the Vindhyachal, located in the Mirzapur district of Uttar Pradesh. The site is worshipped as Vrindavasini, an incarnation of the Goddess Kali.
It is believed that Goddess Durga came here after she killed the demon Mahishasura and settled here in her own image. The temple is surrounded by numerous caves and is said to be visited by the Aghoris.
Kali Mutt, Guptakashi is another such place visited by the Aghoris. Kali Mutt is one of the 51 Shaktipeethas. Situated amidst the Kedarnath Hills, this temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali.
The Aghoris wander around the whole of Bharat varsha, and when their journeys seem complete, the monks accompanying them stay here in the Kali Mutt until their deaths.
Tarapith, located in the Rampur district of West Bengal, is one of the most famous temples in the country. The specialty of the temple is that it has a huge cemetery in its premise. It is believed that the Aghoris come here and spend nights in the cemetery.
Kapaleeshwar Temple of Mathura, popularly known as the Aghori Temple, is one of the most popular shrines for the Aghoris. It is said that the Aghori pujas and rituals are performed at the ashram nearby.
Varanasi, the most revered and sacred land of Hinduism is home to the largest number of Aghoris in India. They can be found on the banks of the Ganges, near the charnel grounds where generally people are reluctant to tread.
The highest number of Aghoris are found in the Manikarnika Ghat, the cremation area in Varanasi.
The Aghoris normally cannot be seen in the daytime. They venture out only in the nights. Most of the Aghoris are found during the Kumbh Mela. Haridwar, Ujjain, Allahabad and Nashik are some of the major places where the Kumbh Mela takes place.
The Aghoris are ardent devotees and worshipers of Lord Shiva. According to their belief, Lord Shiva performs the duties of creation, state and destruction. They are also worshipers of Goddess Kali.
Every Aghori monk believes himself to be a manifestation of Lord Shiva. Hence, they wear necklaces and skulls much like that is worn by Lord Shiva.
Most of the Agori monks can be seen burning the remains of the dead in the crematorium. Another peculiarity is that they prefer to live naked.
Many believe the Aghoris possess supernatural powers and they practices sorcery.
Their identifying marks are their bronze or skull ornaments. It is believed they receive the skulls from the bodies that arrive for the funerals at the Ghats.
The practices of Aghoris are sometimes considered contradictory to orthodox Hinduism, but they are still a much revered sect.
Har Har Mahadev!!
Their aborigine dwelling, the food they eat, the way they pray and their rather strange customs have always left people in awe of fear.
Who are the Aghoris?
The Aghoris are just one of the innumerable sects of Shaivik monks found in India. What makes them popular among them is the lifestyle and customs and rituals they follow that are not expected of ordinary monks.
The Aghoris who live in charnel grounds and eat dead bodies say they find purity in all of the world. Though there are no special temples dedicated to these devotees, they are worshipped in many places.
There are many temples believed to be frequented and worshiped by the Aghoris.
One among them is the Vindhyachal, located in the Mirzapur district of Uttar Pradesh. The site is worshipped as Vrindavasini, an incarnation of the Goddess Kali.
It is believed that Goddess Durga came here after she killed the demon Mahishasura and settled here in her own image. The temple is surrounded by numerous caves and is said to be visited by the Aghoris.
Kali Mutt, Guptakashi is another such place visited by the Aghoris. Kali Mutt is one of the 51 Shaktipeethas. Situated amidst the Kedarnath Hills, this temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali.
The Aghoris wander around the whole of Bharat varsha, and when their journeys seem complete, the monks accompanying them stay here in the Kali Mutt until their deaths.
Tarapith, located in the Rampur district of West Bengal, is one of the most famous temples in the country. The specialty of the temple is that it has a huge cemetery in its premise. It is believed that the Aghoris come here and spend nights in the cemetery.
Kapaleeshwar Temple of Mathura, popularly known as the Aghori Temple, is one of the most popular shrines for the Aghoris. It is said that the Aghori pujas and rituals are performed at the ashram nearby.
Varanasi, the most revered and sacred land of Hinduism is home to the largest number of Aghoris in India. They can be found on the banks of the Ganges, near the charnel grounds where generally people are reluctant to tread.
The highest number of Aghoris are found in the Manikarnika Ghat, the cremation area in Varanasi.
The Aghoris normally cannot be seen in the daytime. They venture out only in the nights. Most of the Aghoris are found during the Kumbh Mela. Haridwar, Ujjain, Allahabad and Nashik are some of the major places where the Kumbh Mela takes place.
The Aghoris are ardent devotees and worshipers of Lord Shiva. According to their belief, Lord Shiva performs the duties of creation, state and destruction. They are also worshipers of Goddess Kali.
Every Aghori monk believes himself to be a manifestation of Lord Shiva. Hence, they wear necklaces and skulls much like that is worn by Lord Shiva.
Most of the Agori monks can be seen burning the remains of the dead in the crematorium. Another peculiarity is that they prefer to live naked.
Many believe the Aghoris possess supernatural powers and they practices sorcery.
Their identifying marks are their bronze or skull ornaments. It is believed they receive the skulls from the bodies that arrive for the funerals at the Ghats.
The practices of Aghoris are sometimes considered contradictory to orthodox Hinduism, but they are still a much revered sect.
Har Har Mahadev!!
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