Archive 2025 · A Female Sadhu (Sadhvi)
p.1 #1A Female Sadhu (Sadhvi)
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One of the highlights of my visit to the holy city of Varanasi included meeting this female sadhu. Female sadhus are much fewer in number than males. She said she had walked on foot from the southern tip of India to Varanasi (a distance of about 1,500 miles), and was planning to continue walking in a northerly direction to Rishikesh (a distance of 550 miles).
She had a very gentle space, and a very detached air about her, as you can see in the bottom image. One of my favorite images of the trip features her showering her love on a cow. In India, cows are venerated firstly because of their association with the God Shiva, but also because of their gentle and generous disposition.
-Charles
Jan 03, 2025 at 08:11 AM
p.1 #2A Female Sadhu (Sadhvi)
A very holy woman Charles!
I am happy you got to memoralize her!
As for the "sacred cow".....Very few global societies venerate their creatures. The India Community does and I welcome that.
Our Christian God had Noah place 2 of all creatures on his Ark before the Earth was destroyed as we know it.
I visit my local Sri Bhaktha Anjaneya Temple every now and then and take photos! The priest welcomes me and my camera less my shoes!
Elephants guard the entrance!
I love ALL creatures. Some more than others..but this sacred creature I am very welcomed for!
Dan
I am happy you got to memoralize her!
As for the "sacred cow".....Very few global societies venerate their creatures. The India Community does and I welcome that.
Our Christian God had Noah place 2 of all creatures on his Ark before the Earth was destroyed as we know it.
I visit my local Sri Bhaktha Anjaneya Temple every now and then and take photos! The priest welcomes me and my camera less my shoes!
Elephants guard the entrance!
I love ALL creatures. Some more than others..but this sacred creature I am very welcomed for!
Dan
Jan 03, 2025 at 10:12 AM
p.1 #3A Female Sadhu (Sadhvi)
Danpbphoto wrote:
A very holy woman Charles!
I am happy you got to memoralize her!
As for the "sacred cow".....Very few global societies venerate their creatures. The India Community does and I welcome that.
Our Christian God had Noah place 2 of all creatures on his Ark before the Earth was destroyed as we know it.
I visit my local Sri Bhaktha Anjaneya Temple every now and then and take photos! The priest welcomes me and my camera less my shoes!
Elephants guard the entrance!
I love ALL creatures. Some more than others..but this sacred creature I am very welcomed for!
Dan
So nice to hear that, Dan. There are many aspects of Hindu philosophy that I don't understand, but I deeply respect them. When some comprehension dawns, I realize that there are many subtle and esoteric reasons for their rituals and rites. All one has to do is keep an open mind, as you do!
-Charles
A very holy woman Charles!
I am happy you got to memoralize her!
As for the "sacred cow".....Very few global societies venerate their creatures. The India Community does and I welcome that.
Our Christian God had Noah place 2 of all creatures on his Ark before the Earth was destroyed as we know it.
I visit my local Sri Bhaktha Anjaneya Temple every now and then and take photos! The priest welcomes me and my camera less my shoes!
Elephants guard the entrance!
I love ALL creatures. Some more than others..but this sacred creature I am very welcomed for!
Dan
So nice to hear that, Dan. There are many aspects of Hindu philosophy that I don't understand, but I deeply respect them. When some comprehension dawns, I realize that there are many subtle and esoteric reasons for their rituals and rites. All one has to do is keep an open mind, as you do!
-Charles
Jan 03, 2025 at 10:36 AM
p.1 #4A Female Sadhu (Sadhvi)
charley5 wrote:
I am happy you got to memoralize her!
As for the "sacred cow".....Very few global societies venerate their creatures. The India Community does and I welcome that.
Our Christian God had Noah place 2 of all creatures on his Ark before the Earth was destroyed as we know it.
I visit my local Sri Bhaktha Anjaneya Temple every now and then and take photos! The priest welcomes me and my camera less my shoes!
Elephants guard the entrance!
I love ALL creatures. Some more than others..but this sacred creature I am very welcomed for!
DanSo nice to hear that, Dan. There are many aspects of Hindu philosophy that I don't understand, but I deeply respect them. When some comprehension dawns, I realize that there are many subtle and esoteric reasons for their rituals and rites. All one has to do is keep an open mind, as you do!
-Charles
My "mind" was awakened while a History major in college. Then I was drafted, while still enrolled, and sent to Vietnam. I learned more about Buddism while there. I also learned how the animals were part of their society also. Sacred and worth their weight in "gold".
I embrace all religions! They all have something to offer in awareness!
Dan
Danpbphoto wrote
A very holy woman Charles!I am happy you got to memoralize her!
As for the "sacred cow".....Very few global societies venerate their creatures. The India Community does and I welcome that.
Our Christian God had Noah place 2 of all creatures on his Ark before the Earth was destroyed as we know it.
I visit my local Sri Bhaktha Anjaneya Temple every now and then and take photos! The priest welcomes me and my camera less my shoes!
Elephants guard the entrance!
I love ALL creatures. Some more than others..but this sacred creature I am very welcomed for!
Dan
-Charles
My "mind" was awakened while a History major in college. Then I was drafted, while still enrolled, and sent to Vietnam. I learned more about Buddism while there. I also learned how the animals were part of their society also. Sacred and worth their weight in "gold".
I embrace all religions! They all have something to offer in awareness!
Dan
Jan 03, 2025 at 10:45 AM
p.1 #5A Female Sadhu (Sadhvi)
Danpbphoto wrote:
I am happy you got to memoralize her!
As for the "sacred cow".....Very few global societies venerate their creatures. The India Community does and I welcome that.
Our Christian God had Noah place 2 of all creatures on his Ark before the Earth was destroyed as we know it.
I visit my local Sri Bhaktha Anjaneya Temple every now and then and take photos! The priest welcomes me and my camera less my shoes!
Elephants guard the entrance!
I love ALL creatures. Some more than others..but this sacred creature I am very welcomed for!
DanSo nice to hear that, Dan. There are many aspects of Hindu philosophy that I don't understand, but I deeply respect them. When some comprehension dawns, I realize that there are many subtle and esoteric reasons for their rituals and rites. All one has to do is keep an open mind, as you do!
-CharlesMy "mind" was awakened while a History major in college. Then I was drafted, while still enrolled, and sent to Vietnam. I learned more about Buddism while there. I also learned how the animals were part of their society also. Sacred and worth their weight in "gold".
I embrace all religions! They all have something to offer in awareness!
Dan
So true, Dan!
charley5 wrote
Danpbphoto wrote
A very holy woman Charles!I am happy you got to memoralize her!
As for the "sacred cow".....Very few global societies venerate their creatures. The India Community does and I welcome that.
Our Christian God had Noah place 2 of all creatures on his Ark before the Earth was destroyed as we know it.
I visit my local Sri Bhaktha Anjaneya Temple every now and then and take photos! The priest welcomes me and my camera less my shoes!
Elephants guard the entrance!
I love ALL creatures. Some more than others..but this sacred creature I am very welcomed for!
Dan
-Charles
I embrace all religions! They all have something to offer in awareness!
Dan
So true, Dan!
Jan 03, 2025 at 11:30 AM
p.1 #6A Female Sadhu (Sadhvi)
Another wonderful foray into portraiture, Charles!
Douglas
Douglas
Jan 03, 2025 at 01:35 PM
p.1 #7A Female Sadhu (Sadhvi)
Loving the culture in this. You captured her expression towards the cow well. She does seem genuinely fond of it.
Jan 03, 2025 at 02:49 PM
p.1 #8A Female Sadhu (Sadhvi)
douter wrote:
Another wonderful foray into portraiture, Charles!
Douglas
Thanks a bunch, Douglas!
-Charles
Another wonderful foray into portraiture, Charles!
Douglas
Thanks a bunch, Douglas!
-Charles
Jan 04, 2025 at 10:07 AM
p.1 #9A Female Sadhu (Sadhvi)
Catherina wrote:
Loving the culture in this. You captured her expression towards the cow well. She does seem genuinely fond of it.
She really was, Catherina!
-Charles
Loving the culture in this. You captured her expression towards the cow well. She does seem genuinely fond of it.
She really was, Catherina!
-Charles
Jan 04, 2025 at 10:08 AM
p.1 #10A Female Sadhu (Sadhvi)
I am an "animal whisperer" Charles! I guess they are the only creature that really understands me
!! 
Dan
!! Dan
Jan 04, 2025 at 10:35 AM
p.1 #11A Female Sadhu (Sadhvi)
Danpbphoto wrote:
I embrace all religions! They all have something to offer in awareness!
Dan
Indeed, there is something to be offered in all religions. I don't believe it is possible to ground morality without religion. IMO the results of that have been disastrous. However, there are overlaps and then there are complete opposites in core philosophy. In the Judeo-Christian religions there is a clear separation between the creator God and the creation humanity. In the Hindu philosophy a person can eventually become divine. In the genesis story humanity was led away from God by the serpent who promised they could be like God with knowledge of good and evil. In Hinduism they strive to awaken the kundalini, which means coiled snake (serpent), that is a step in evolving to the divine. These two are in complete opposition and you must decide yourself which one you find more credible.
I embrace all religions! They all have something to offer in awareness!
Dan
Indeed, there is something to be offered in all religions. I don't believe it is possible to ground morality without religion. IMO the results of that have been disastrous. However, there are overlaps and then there are complete opposites in core philosophy. In the Judeo-Christian religions there is a clear separation between the creator God and the creation humanity. In the Hindu philosophy a person can eventually become divine. In the genesis story humanity was led away from God by the serpent who promised they could be like God with knowledge of good and evil. In Hinduism they strive to awaken the kundalini, which means coiled snake (serpent), that is a step in evolving to the divine. These two are in complete opposition and you must decide yourself which one you find more credible.
Jan 04, 2025 at 10:49 AM
p.1 #12A Female Sadhu (Sadhvi)
Great images Charlie, especially the first one. In all my years in Nepal and India, I don't recall meeting a female Sadhu!
Jan 04, 2025 at 04:00 PM
p.1 #13A Female Sadhu (Sadhvi)
The last one a lovely portrait. You nailed it
Jan 04, 2025 at 05:34 PM
p.1 #14A Female Sadhu (Sadhvi)
cth55 wrote:
Great images Charlie, especially the first one. In all my years in Nepal and India, I don't recall meeting a female Sadhu!
I have not met many myself. And there is always something really special about them!
-Charles
Great images Charlie, especially the first one. In all my years in Nepal and India, I don't recall meeting a female Sadhu!
I have not met many myself. And there is always something really special about them!
-Charles
Jan 05, 2025 at 04:30 AM
p.1 #15A Female Sadhu (Sadhvi)
Dave_E wrote:
The last one a lovely portrait. You nailed it
Thanks very much, Dave!
-Charles
The last one a lovely portrait. You nailed it
Thanks very much, Dave!
-Charles
Jan 05, 2025 at 04:31 AM
p.1 #17A Female Sadhu (Sadhvi)
Danpbphoto wrote:
Congrats on FT Win brother!
Well done!
Dan
Thanks so much, Dan!
-Charles
Congrats on FT Win brother!
Well done!
Dan
Thanks so much, Dan!
-Charles
Jan 11, 2025 at 10:04 AM
p.1 #19A Female Sadhu (Sadhvi)
Hodie wrote:
Congrats on the FT win!
Thanks a bunch!
-Charles
Congrats on the FT win!
Thanks a bunch!
-Charles
Jan 11, 2025 at 10:52 AM
p.1 #20A Female Sadhu (Sadhvi)
Congrates,lovely portraits.
Would u mind to share what equipments u used
Thanks
Would u mind to share what equipments u used
Thanks
Jan 11, 2025 at 03:11 PM