Aghori

What it is

The Aghori form a distinct monastic order within Hindu Shaivism. Members are ascetic sadhus who live by Tantric principles that oppose mainstream social norms. Their path focuses on liberation from the cycle of rebirth through the realization of non-duality. Practitioners believe all opposites are illusory. To break down fear and attachment, they embrace pollution and death. This approach aims to reveal the fundamental unity of existence. The order traces its spiritual lineage to ancient ascetics and deities associated with cremation sites.

Where it comes from

Historical records link the Aghori to the Kāpālika tradition, which emerged in medieval India between the fourth and eighth centuries CE. Scholars note a lack of primary sources for the Kāpālikas, relying instead on fictional accounts and disparaging texts from other traditions. Chinese pilgrims described similar ash-covered ascetics in regions now part of Pakistan during the seventh century. The Aghori consider Baba Keenaram, an ascetic who lived until the eighteenth century, as a key figure. They also revere Dattatreya as their founding guru. The tradition survives today alongside other Shaivite offshoots like the Kaula and Trika orders.

How it is done

Rituals involve dwelling in charnel grounds and smearing bodies with cremation ashes. Practitioners use human remains to create jewelry and skull cups. Some consume substances considered taboo, including intoxicants and corpse flesh obtained from funeral ghats. Meditation often takes place atop corpses. These acts serve to dismantle conventional distinctions between purity and impurity. The goal is to achieve an altered state of consciousness that perceives the illusory nature of social categories. Practices include invoking goddesses associated with cremation grounds to gain supernatural abilities.

Tools and materials

Skull cups and bone jewelry are central to their iconography. Cremation ashes cover their skin as a mark of renunciation. Intoxicating drinks like bhaṅga are used in rituals. Human remains provide materials for sacred objects. These items mirror the forms held by Shiva and other deities in art. The tools facilitate direct engagement with death and decay. They serve as reminders of mortality and the transient nature of the physical world.

What it is for

Practitioners seek healing powers and protection against aging. Rural populations often view Aghori gurus with reverence due to reputed miraculous abilities. The ultimate aim is mokṣa, or liberation from samsara. Achieving this requires understanding the identity of the self with the absolute. Rituals help unlearn cultural fears about death and filth. By facing mortality directly, practitioners hope to transcend discrimination. Healing is seen as a byproduct of intense spiritual discipline and renunciation.

Who does it

Aghoris are male ascetics who follow a strict monastic life. They undergo intense eremitic rites to acquire spiritual power. Training involves learning from gurus in isolated settings. Disciples establish deep relationships with their teachers. Historically, Aghori gurus were buried upright in meditation posture rather than cremated. The community maintains a hierarchy based on spiritual attainment. Initiation into specific rituals may be restricted to dedicated followers.

Peoples and places

The order is primarily located in Uttar Pradesh, India. Varanasi serves as a significant center for their activities. Historical connections exist with ascetic groups in Kashmir and the Deccan Plateau. The tradition has influenced and been influenced by Vajrayana Buddhist practices. Similar ascetic behaviors appear in Jain and Pashupata traditions. The Aghori maintain a distinct identity while sharing roots with broader Tantric movements across South Asia.

What people believe

Philosophy centers on advaita, or non-dualism. All dualities are viewed as mental constructs obscuring reality. Shiva manifests as Aghora, a fierce aspect associated with destruction. Goddesses like Kali and Tara are also venerated. Dattatreya represents the union of major Hindu deities. Belief holds that humans are naturally born without discrimination. Social taboos are artificial barriers to spiritual truth. Death is accepted as a natural process essential for enlightenment.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Religion scholars study the Aghori as successors to the Kāpālikas. Mircea Eliade highlighted their role in preserving ancient ascetic methods. David Lorenzen notes the scarcity of historical documentation. Researchers analyze their practices through anthropological lenses. Skeptics often focus on controversial aspects like cannibalism. Academic work examines how these rituals challenge orthodox Hindu norms. Studies also explore the psychological impact of such extreme renunciation.

Questions people ask about Aghori

Good reading and sources

• Library of Congress CatalogLibrary of Congress, Article

• Aghori on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data