A nude adolescent smeared in ash stands poised. Ash adorns the head, face, shoulders, arms, chest, and belly, as soot-filled palms move gracefully towards the feet. With each downward motion, the body bends, creating a series of angles—30 degrees, 45 degrees, then 60—culminating in a right angle as the left foot steps slightly ahead, reflecting a perfect pose captured in the photograph.
This balance, known in the arts of vocal and dance, signifies the rhythmic culmination. Photographers like Bandip Singh interpret such photos, much like a dancer returning to their mark at the beat's completion, displaying the essence of the captured moment.
Exquisite Bhasm Adornments
Witness the young Naga's pure and unwavering devotion, dressed in ash with the grace of a dancer adorning anklets. To truly understand the sentiment, immerse yourself in this image, which conveys preparation for a sacred ritual.
Source: aajtak
If you wish to witness the thrilling, mystical, and uncharted realms of spirituality, these photographs at New Delhi’s Travancore Palace will unlock the mysterious door you've long searched for.
The grand Mahakumbh 2025 just recently concluded. At Prayagraj’s confluence, the devout gathered amid the sound of conch shells, bells, and hymns, resonating with 'Har Har Mahadev.' So many scenes, yet only two eyes—how much could one truly perceive?
Thrilled by Naga Sadhus
The scenes and sights of the Naga Sadhus stir excitement. Their gatherings at the Khumbh spark great interest. These elusive figures covered in holy ash and esoteric symbols astonish—clad in loincloths, wielding traditional weapons, embodying simplicity and spiritual austerity. So, what distinguishes these ascetics, made of the same flesh and bone, from us? What is their path to becoming a Naga sadhu?
Source: aajtak
India Today Group Chief Photo Editor Bandip Singh's lens pursued these questions through the 2019 and 2025 Khumbh festivals, offering a mythic narrative within striking images. In the series ‘Bhasmang: The Way of the Naga Sadhus,’ glimpse the Sadhus at Khumbh, and experience the essence of their life beyond.
The Mysterious Journey Starts with the First Image
From inception, each image in this series grips you. It's an exploration that incites curiosity, inviting you to peer into the Naga Sadhus’ enigmatic world. The gallery begins with a life-sized portrait, an invitation to delve deeper.
As you venture into their realm, each image seems to unveil a layer of mystery. Standing next are Sadhus with wrinkled faces and intense, soulful gazes, reminiscent of the divine narrative in Duryodhana’s court by the awe-inspiring Krishna.
‘Wherever my gaze rests, the creation bursts into laughter... When I close my eyes, the world plunges into silence.’
Source: aajtak
The grand Mahakumbh reoccurs every twelve years at various consecrated sites. Millions join this ancient tradition seeking spiritual purity. The Naga Sadhus, draped in ash, stand as vivid expressions of devout surrender—symbols of ascetic and liberating solitude.
Above all, the Naga Sadhus capture the popular imagination, known for their fierce tradition. However, beneath their theatrical appearance lies a profound yet hidden world few have glimpsed. These images seek to unveil this truth—a connection between spirituality-bound mortals and these ascetics.
Every Picture Tells a Story
When you behold these photographs, the naked forms may provoke a stir initially. Yet, the raw simplicity draws introspection—why this nudity? These images articulate simplicity, echoing philosophical truths: ‘Vasansi jeernani yatha vihaya... Our body is but a garment hiding the soul, worn over another cloak—how many layers?
In the subsequent frame, a young Naga rings a loincloth around his waist, suggesting sufficiency in minimal coverings. The next question arises—shame of what, and to whom? Are we ensnared in our sensuality we feel embarrassment within ourselves?
Source: aajtak
A frame nearby showcases a Sadhu skillfully balancing on a rod framed by another’s thighs, symbolizing mastery over desire and the discipline requisite for physical and mental resilience.
Opposite, on the adjoining wall, hangs the image of a Sadhu with disheveled hair flying over the riverbank, revealing the transformation from the turmoil of desires to divine serenity. Each hair, standing on end, encapsulates the transcendental experience.
These images resonate profoundly with Shiva’s principle, echoing a timeless tale from the scriptures. When the Saptarishis carried a marriage proposal for Parvati to her mother, Maina, who inquired about Shiva’s qualities and lineage, the Seers described:
Motherless, fatherless, immaculate yet poor, drawn to the wilderness, unbothered by earthly ties. Bearing the crescent moon, eyes flaming, adorned in the sacred ash, yet seemingly detached.
‘Satyam Shivam Sundaram,’ they proclaimed, deeming Shiva worthy of her hand.
Source: aajtak
Enveloped in ash representing divine purity, these Sadhus embody the essence of Shiva—on a spiritual quest for truth and beauty. They are seekers of the ultimate truth, resonating with the divinity of the cosmos.
