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Sadhu - India
Sadhu at Pushkar in Rajasthan, India
In Hinduism, the Sadhu (also known as yogi and sanyasi), is a common term for a mystic, an ascetic, practitioner of yoga (yogi) and/or wandering monks who has renounced caste, social position, money and authority, and occupies a special place in Hindu society.
The Sadhu often wears ochre-colored clothing, symbolizing renunciation and usually wears on his forehead the three lines of the god’s trident drawn in ash or sandalwood paste which may be vertical or horizontal.
The sadhu is solely dedicated to achieving the fourth and final Hindu goal of life, moksha (liberation), through meditation and contemplation of Brahman.
Shaivite Sadhus are followers of Shiva and are divided into various sects.
Vaishnavite Sadhus are devoted to Vishnu and are a later development than the Shaivite.
Unlike the common Hindu who is cremated, the Sadhu is buried, usually in the sitting position. The burial site normally becomes a place of worship.
Sadhu - India
Sadhu at Pushkar in Rajasthan, India
In Hinduism, the Sadhu (also known as yogi and sanyasi), is a common term for a mystic, an ascetic, practitioner of yoga (yogi) and/or wandering monks who has renounced caste, social position, money and authority, and occupies a special place in Hindu society.
The Sadhu often wears ochre-colored clothing, symbolizing renunciation and usually wears on his forehead the three lines of the god’s trident drawn in ash or sandalwood paste which may be vertical or horizontal.
The sadhu is solely dedicated to achieving the fourth and final Hindu goal of life, moksha (liberation), through meditation and contemplation of Brahman.
Shaivite Sadhus are followers of Shiva and are divided into various sects.
Vaishnavite Sadhus are devoted to Vishnu and are a later development than the Shaivite.
Unlike the common Hindu who is cremated, the Sadhu is buried, usually in the sitting position. The burial site normally becomes a place of worship.