In the heart of India, along the sacred and bustling ghats of Varanasi, exists a sect that defies conventional understanding; the Aghori Tribe. These ascetic sadhus, devoted followers of Lord Shiva, are renowned for their radical practices that challenge the boundaries of orthodox Hinduism and societal norms. In Hinduism, Sadhus are self-isolated members of society who have allegedly given up the pursuit of worldly life and believe that only Yoga and meditation can help them achieve spiritual freedom.
The Aghori’s Lifestyle
The Aghori’s choice of residence is as unconventional as their practices. They inhabit cremation grounds, places traditionally associated with death and impurity. Here, they meditate atop funeral pyres and use human ashes to coat their bodies, symbolizing the transient nature of life and the dissolution of the ego. This immersion in death serves as a constant reminder of mortality and the impermanence of the physical form.
Perhaps the most controversial aspect of Aghori practices is their ritualistic use of human remains. They are known to collect human bones and skulls from cremation sites, fashioning them into kapalas; the cups made of skull bones, and other ritual items. These objects are not mere symbols but are actively used in ceremonies intended to confront and transcend societal taboos. By engaging directly with what is conventionally considered impure, the Aghori seek to dissolve distinctions between what many people consider pure and impure, sacred and unholy.
Cannibalism
The Aghori’s practice of consuming human flesh is perhaps their most infamous ritual. It’s crucial to understand that this act is not driven by necessity or desire but is deeply symbolic. By consuming the flesh of the deceased, obtained exclusively from unclaimed bodies at cremation grounds, they aim to internalize the concept of life’s impermanence and confront the fear of death head-on. This ritual is performed with reverence and is seen as a means to attain spiritual enlightenment by breaking down the barriers of human perception and societal conditioning. Although they eat human flesh, they don’t kill people to get the flesh; instead, they eat the flesh of deceased, extracted from cremation grounds. Many adventurers visited this ascetic tribe, and they were reported to be very hospitable, even though other millions of people still fear them.
Aghori’s philosophy behind their beliefs
At the core of Aghori philosophy is the belief in non-duality, the idea that all aspects of existence are one and the same. They believe that death and life are two inseparable units, and for that’s why, they keep themselves closer to death since they believe it as a part of life. This view leads them to reject conventional notions of purity and impurity, embracing all experiences as equal manifestations of the divine. Their extreme practices are expressions of this belief, challenging practitioners to see beyond surface distinctions and recognize the inherent unity of all things.