Sadhu in oldest Hindu temple. Pashupatinath, Nepal Canon EOS 5DS R 31mm F/5 1/160s ISO100
Sadhu in oldest Hindu temple. Pashupatinath, Nepal Canon EOS 5DS R 70mm F/4 1/200s ISO50
Yasser Al-Zain is a Lebanese, born and raised in Kuwait, completed his studies with a degree from MSCE (Networking), presently working as a General Manager in Al-Rai Media Group Co. He started photography as a hobby, with the primary motive of capturing images which appear interesting regardless of the subject, the focus being on lines, forms and patterns. Today, Photography, in particular, has become a major passion in his life. His love for photography inspires him to find rhythm and colors in landscapes, people and their cultures. He has since then developed this passion to a business owning Photography Production Co., displaying his works in Exhibitions and publishing books. With every picture, he tries to show the people how he views the beautiful world around.
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hose ancient eyes, watching the world from behind their ‘jatas’ (dreadlocks) seem to be silent but they aren’t, instead they are praying for you. This is the power of the spiritual world which can turn a worldly soul into one that eschews all. They turn their world upside down and vow to devote their lives to ward off theirs as well as the community’s karma. Most have given up affiliation with their caste and kin and have undergone a funeral ceremony for themselves, followed by a ritual rebirth into their new ascetic life. Travelling to distant places, homeless, they visit different pilgrimages or stay at a place suitable to pray all day. Most of the Sadhus don’t like getting disturbed and hence to strictly avoid any sort of distractions, they practice celibacy, become recluse and keep moving in life’s long journey. The colors that they clad themselves in, be it saffron, white or black, represent different saint communities. The different designs of vermillion or “tilak” are also an indicator of their sect. The holy beads (rosary), ‘kamandal’ (waterpot), the trishul (tridents), kapal (human skull), and
human ashes smeared across their bodies are other clues differentiating the sects of a saint or sadhu. Some sages vows to remain bald while there the others do not have their hair cut throughout their lives and take great care of their ‘jatas’. Incidentally, there is a science behind keeping their hair long. Hair is a natural conductor of body’s electromagnetic energy and coiling hairs causes induction. In fact, the science of coiling wires in electronics came from ancient Hindu science of coiling hair to induce energy in body. Two major divisions of Indian saints are Shaivas (Shiva devotes) and Vaishnavas (Vishnu devotees). Within these general divisions are numerous sects and subsects and these follow their own set of rituals and traditions. The rituals performed by the ‘Aghories’, for instance, might frighten a common person and yet they have been revered for their spiritual practices. Religion and spirituality is the almost synonymous to India. It doesn’t matter what caste and creed one belongs to, spirituality acts on each person equally. Sometimes, the bizarre acts of the ‘sadhus’ in a show
of faith defy science and leave the men of science befuddled. They live simply with the philosophy of unflustered and uncluttered life. If you ask them about stories of the God, they narrate it so evocatively that one might feel that they themselves have witnessed those stories. In them, you will mostly find peace, a pleasant smile and a brilliant sense of satisfaction. Relinquishing their worldly pleasures, they free themselves of their societal shackles to fly in the open sky of faith in hopes of reaching to the ultimate source of all. They meditate and continuously chant the Holy Scriptures, to balance the negativity of the world. Although they devote themselves completely in sacred practices, but treat them with caution for you never know what’s going on in that eccentric mind. Aditi Puranik aditi@chiiz.com
A budding journalist, Aditi watches the world with wonder in her eyes. Talented but lazy, introvert but sarcastic, she is a nature lover, continuously trying to work on her photography and writing skills. She is a wanderer at heart and dreams of travelling the world. Vol 9
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