The Aghoris are mysterious group of Hindu ascetics known for their unique spiritual practices and their unconventional way of living a life. They practice a unique form of Hinduism. These sadhus (holy men) are devotees of Lord Shiva, the god of transformation and destruction, specifically in his ferocious form (roop) as Bhairava.
They are known for their unconventional rituals like living and dwelling in cremation grounds, meditating on dead bodies, covering their bodies with sacred ashes, utilizing human skulls as utensils and also for decorations, and eating flesh from human dead bodies.
Who Are The Aghoris?
Aghoris are mainly found in Varanasi, the holy city for Hindus and Hinduism. Their history is mysterious, as they live in very secretive groups. Some historical evidences claims that their roots are from ancient Kapalika and Kalamukha sects of Hinduism. These sects are emerged between 7th and 8th century CE. These sects were known for their tantric practices like worshipping fierce deities and performing sacrificial rites.
Over the course of time, these sects were merged and gradually transformed into the Aghori tradition. Aghori sect of Shaivism was founded in northern India by Baba Keenaram. Baba is said to have lived for 150 years, dying in the second half of the 18th century. He is also considered an incarnation of Shiva, with his birth being accompanied by numerous miraculous signs. He was born in a Kshatriya family in Ramgarh village in Uttar Pradesh in 1658, on the day of Chaturdashi, which was considered a very auspicious day for worshipping Lord Shiva. He was also born with a full set of teeth, which is a sign of spiritual power and rare to see.
Aghoris believe that everything in this universe is sacred, including things like human remains and cremation ashes. Most people find these things impure. They seek to attain ‘Moksha’ – liberation from the cycle of rebirth by surpassing the limits of life and death, good and evil, purity and impurity. Other Hindu monks follow very strict vegetarian diet. But Aghoris do not find any difference between purity and impurity, hence they eat flesh from human remains.
Aghoris live far away from society, in caves, cremation grounds, mountains, or dense forests. They meditate for long hours and practice yoga to connect deeply with divine power of Lord Shiva and to attain spiritual enlightenment.
Aghoris smoke, and drink alcohol, and they can be seen meditating on top of human dead bodies in cremation grounds and Ghats of Varanasi. They believe in overcoming fear, attachments, worldly pleasures, and societal norms.
Because of their mysterious and shocking spiritual practices, Aghoris are often misunderstood as black magic practitioners or dangerous people. But their intention is not to harm anyone but to attain spiritual wisdom by following their own unique path. Some Aghoris also use their knowledge of traditional medicine to heal people.
They believe that death is not the end but it is a transition. Hence living in cremation grounds and performing meditation on human dead bodies helps them to overcome the fear of death.
The reason behind Aghoris eating food from cremation grounds or utilizing human bones in their rituals is not for pleasure. But to break the barriers of purity and impurity.
Covering their bodies with ashes from cremation sites indicates their detachment from worldly pleasure. They believe that everything - good and bad, life and death, positive and negative is part of the same universe and divine energy. Hence they don’t accept the logic behind sin and impurity.
They believe all things are equal in the eyes of God. This belief helps them in the process of self-realization and attain Moksha (liberation).
Female Aghoris are as common as Male Aghoris. But genuine male and female Aghoris are very rare to find. It is believed that an Aghori is not someone you come across easily. If they want to speak with you, they make themselves visible to you.
