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Archive 2023 · Sadhus in Varanasi, India

CYT111
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Sadhus in Varanasi, India

A sadhu is one who is deeply devoted to the path of spirituality. I photographed these sadhus in Varanasi, India.


	©Holly Sasnett Photography


	©Holly Sasnett Photography

Jan 18, 2023 at 12:23 PM

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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Sadhus in Varanasi, India

Very well done. I appreciate you telling the back story to these religious people.
Dan

Jan 18, 2023 at 12:28 PM

CYT111
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Sadhus in Varanasi, India

Danpbphoto wrote:
Very well done. I appreciate you telling the back story to these religious people.
Dan

Thank you Dan!! There's so much more to say. Sadhus are ascetics affiliated with a wide range of Hindu religious orders. If I understand correctly, the first image is a Naga Sadhu. They have matted coils of hair and their bodies are covered in ashes, both of which are features of Shiva. It is said they are in a state of meditation all year and are very intense. The Naga Sadhus are a sect of worshippers who believe in the philosophy of becoming Shiva to worship Shiva. The second image's painted horizontal white lines and trident are signs that they too follow Shiva. Hindus believe Shiva founded Varanasi, hence you find his followers here.
Holly

Jan 18, 2023 at 12:56 PM

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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Sadhus in Varanasi, India

Great pictures! I really like the first one a lot, particularly his expression. When were you in Varanasi? I heard it is best to go in the winter, when there are fewer mosquitos that carry the threat of dengue.

-Charles

Jan 18, 2023 at 01:12 PM

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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Sadhus in Varanasi, India

charley5 wrote:
Great pictures! I really like the first one a lot, particularly his expression. When were you in Varanasi? I heard it is best to go in the winter, when there are fewer mosquitos that carry the threat of dengue.

-Charles

Thank you Charles! I was there December 2014. You're correct dengue fever and malaria are no joke. December in Varanasi was chilly, and true I wasn't really thinking of mosquitos while there. But in the south of India it was quite warm and mosquitos were about. But I learned that mosquitos are poor fliers. So a lot of places utilize fans. Made a difference.

Jan 18, 2023 at 01:46 PM

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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Sadhus in Varanasi, India

CYT111 wrote:
Thank you Charles! I was there December 2014. You're correct dengue fever and malaria are no joke. December in Varanasi was chilly, and true I wasn't really thinking of mosquitos while there. But in the south of India it was quite warm and mosquitos were about. But I learned that mosquitos are poor fliers. So a lot of places utilize fans. Made a difference.

Great. Good to know. I planned to go there this past December, but was delayed. I can't wait. It is the spiritual heart of India.

Jan 19, 2023 at 08:48 AM

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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Sadhus in Varanasi, India

charley5 wrote:
Great. Good to know. I planned to go there this past December, but was delayed. I can't wait. It is the spiritual heart of India.

Varanasi is a very special place, one of my favorites in India. I hope you're able to experience it. The pandemic interrupted my plans to return. Be aware that in December the fog can be seriously dense, greatly hindering visibility. I was told I was fortunate to be able to experience some breaks in the fog. With that said, Varanasi is truly a mystical place.
Holly

Jan 19, 2023 at 10:29 AM

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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Sadhus in Varanasi, India

Holly, I am actually hoping to shoot Varanasi's skyline in the fog, hopefully with just enough breaks for some buildings to be seen. The fog could actually lend a mystical air, or really mess up the landscape shooting. For portraits, it can actually provide some nicely diffuse lighting.

-Charles

Jan 19, 2023 at 10:45 AM

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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Sadhus in Varanasi, India

CYT111 wrote:
Thank you Dan!! There's so much more to say. Sadhus are ascetics affiliated with a wide range of Hindu religious orders. If I understand correctly, the first image is a Naga Sadhu. They have matted coils of hair and their bodies are covered in ashes, both of which are features of Shiva. It is said they are in a state of meditation all year and are very intense. The Naga Sadhus are a sect of worshippers who believe in the philosophy of becoming Shiva to worship Shiva. The second image's painted horizontal white lines and trident are signs that they...Show more →
Thank you for this addtl story. It widens my knowledge of peoples/sects I never heard of or heard of but never knew anything about.
I think if people knew things like this that the conflict and tensions across the globe might be reduced. Wishful thinking? Probably so but it could be done.
Dan

Jan 19, 2023 at 11:14 AM

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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Sadhus in Varanasi, India

charley5 wrote:
Holly, I am actually hoping to shoot Varanasi's skyline in the fog, hopefully with just enough breaks for some buildings to be seen. The fog could actually lend a mystical air, or really mess up the landscape shooting. For portraits, it can actually provide some nicely diffuse lighting.

-Charles

Absolutely Charles! Totally agree. Can't wait to see what you do!
In your planning be aware sometimes the fog is so dense you can't see through it.
Posting more images in City, Street, Arch forum shortly.

Holly

Jan 19, 2023 at 12:39 PM

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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Sadhus in Varanasi, India

Danpbphoto wrote:
Thank you for this addtl story. It widens my knowledge of peoples/sects I never heard of or heard of but never knew anything about. I think if people knew things like this that the conflict and tensions across the globe might be reduced. Wishful thinking? Probably so but it could be done.
Dan

Dan, I agree with you 100%!!! Education and travel are super important for exactly the reasons you state. Wishful? Maybe. But we must maintain hope, and strive to do better. Thanks for looking at my images and for the conversation. I'm grateful.
Holly

Jan 19, 2023 at 12:57 PM

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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Sadhus in Varanasi, India

CYT111 wrote:
Absolutely Charles! Totally agree. Can't wait to see what you do!
In your planning be aware sometimes the fog is so dense you can't see through it.
Posting more images in City, Street, Arch forum shortly.

Holly

Thanks for these details! Does the fog last the whole day, or only the morning? I wanted to take a boat ride in the Ganges at dawn.

Jan 19, 2023 at 11:50 PM

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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Sadhus in Varanasi, India

charley5 wrote:
Thanks for these details! Does the fog last the whole day, or only the morning? I wanted to take a boat ride in the Ganges at dawn.

In northern India winter visibility is mostly limited all the time, due to fog and pollution. It can remain for days or lift. There's no way to know - least that I'm aware of. Consider how close Varanasi is to the Himalayan Mountains, think Mount Everest. I left sunny warm southern India and flew to the chilly foggy north. My flight to Varanasi was delayed for 6 hours because the visibility was so poor. I would consult with a travel professional to plan your trip. He/she can properly advise you. I would plan to spend at minimum 3 or more days in Varanasi to give yourself a buffer and to experience all the different aspects. The morning is quite different from the evening when the young Brahman priests perform the big Aarti ceremony to put the Ganges river goddess, Ganga, to sleep. Consider why you would choose to be there in December. I was in India for a month during this time as I started my trip with a special yoga intensive in Pune. According to my Varanasi guide in December there are fewer bathers, pilgrims etc in Varanasi. So again I would consult with a travel professional. As far as mosquitos, no matter the time of year you have to take precautions. You'll need to be on an anti-malarial medication, dress to cover your skin, etc. Also, you probably already know, but you'll need to consult with a travel clinic ahead of time to receive all the various vaccinations before you go. It's a big trip, one that changed my life. Hope it's a good one for you too!

Jan 20, 2023 at 10:15 AM

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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Sadhus in Varanasi, India

charley5 wrote:
Thanks for these details! Does the fog last the whole day, or only the morning? I wanted to take a boat ride in the Ganges at dawn.

CYT111 wrote:
In northern India winter visibility is mostly limited all the time, due to fog and pollution. It can remain for days or lift. There's no way to know - least that I'm aware of. Consider how close Varanasi is to the Himalayan Mountains, think Mount Everest. I left sunny warm southern India and flew to the chilly foggy north. My flight to Varanasi was delayed for 6 hours because the visibility was so poor. I would consult with a travel professional to plan your trip. He/she can properly advise you. I would plan to spend at minimum 3 or more...Show more →

--- Charles --- My apologies! I just noticed you live in India!!! So you know better than I about considerations when traveling in India! Do you live in the south? Also noticed you are a yoga teacher. Which style do you practice? I practice Iyengar yoga. Started my Indian journey with a yoga intensive with Geeta Iyengar in Pune. Now she's gone, I feel honored to have studied with her. I was suppose to study with her father B.K.S. Iyengar but he unfortunately died. Do you know of the Iyengars?

Holly

Jan 20, 2023 at 04:59 PM

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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Sadhus in Varanasi, India

CYT111 wrote:
In northern India winter visibility is mostly limited all the time, due to fog and pollution. It can remain for days or lift. There's no way to know - least that I'm aware of. Consider how close Varanasi is to the Himalayan Mountains, think Mount Everest. I left sunny warm southern India and flew to the chilly foggy north. My flight to Varanasi was delayed for 6 hours because the visibility was so poor. I would consult with a travel professional to plan your trip. He/she can properly advise you. I would plan to spend at minimum 3 or more...Show more →

Thanks for the great details, Holly. I am currently living in the Himalayas, so it is not a big stretch for me to go down south. I have never been further south than Delhi, so it would be a great adventure for me. I would like to capture the special atmosphere Varanasi has. Your words have sparked me to do more research. I already have a guide lined up but there are a couple of points you make which I want to look into further. Thanks again!

-Charles

Jan 22, 2023 at 12:24 PM

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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Sadhus in Varanasi, India

CYT111 wrote:
--- Charles --- My apologies! I just noticed you live in India!!! So you know better than I about considerations when traveling in India! Do you live in the south? Also noticed you are a yoga teacher. Which style do you practice? I practice Iyengar yoga. Started my Indian journey with a yoga intensive with Geeta Iyengar in Pune. Now she's gone, I feel honored to have studied with her. I was suppose to study with her father B.K.S. Iyengar but he unfortunately died. Do you know of the Iyengars?

Holly

Hi Holly. I did study Iyengar when I first started practicing yoga. It is a very exacting technique. I had taught for over 20 years, but mostly a form of Kripalu Yoga, until I designed a type of flow yoga which better suited my style. I haven't taught yoga in a while. I live in an ashram in a remote valley at the fringes of civilization. I sold or gave away all my possessions and moved here at the age of 62. I didn't want to have any regrets in life.

-Charles

Jan 22, 2023 at 12:31 PM

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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Sadhus in Varanasi, India

charley5 wrote:
Hi Holly. I did study Iyengar when I first started practicing yoga. It is a very exacting technique. I had taught for over 20 years, but mostly a form of Kripalu Yoga, until I designed a type of flow yoga which better suited my style. I haven't taught yoga in a while. I live in an ashram in a remote valley at the fringes of civilization. I sold or gave away all my possessions and moved here at the age of 62. I didn't want to have any regrets in life.

-Charles

Super impressed by you Charles. I too am a yoga teacher, but haven't taught for a while. I don't know that much about Kripalu yoga but in pat I attended a workshop at the Kripalu Center in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, US, so I have some awareness. It must be freeing to be relieved of possessions, they can be such a weight. To have no regrets in life is a mighty aspiration, I aspire the same.

Best to you,
Holly

Jan 22, 2023 at 01:55 PM


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