Picture of a Naga Sadhu in an exhibition titled Bahngang: The path of Naga Sadhus
Photo Credit: Banddeep Singh

Naga Sadhu (unwanted Hindu ascetic) first attracted the attention of photographer Banddeep Singh in 2013. Six years later, he found himself taking pictures of him in a deliberate attempt to catch the origin of his spiritual and religious ideology.

From the ongoing exhibition title Bahngang: The path of Naga Sadhus At the Travancore Palace, New Delhi, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, from 2019 to 2025, displays 35 paintings of Naga Sadhus clicked by Bandeep. “My first encounter with my first visit was already. Aquarius in 2013. There, one of the images stuck with me was Naga, who was surrounded by many people, talking on his mobile phone. I was surrounded by how he was completely unbearable about his nudity, almost as it was not present. Such a contingent from my body was interesting for me, ”says Bandik.

Photographer Bandap Singh posted with Naga Sadhu. Photo Credit: Banddeep Singh

His curiosity took him in June Akhara But Aquarius In 2019. Akharas Mathvasi institutions are in terms of Indian martial artists or with facilities for billets and training for religious restorations. June Akhara is mainly associated with Naga Sadhu.

“Before Aquarius Started, I was invited by one of Jun Akhara’s Mahamandaleshwar to take a picture of Naga Sadhu and stay in Akhara. In fact, after being photographed on them AquariusI followed him in his addictions and ashrams in Rishikesh and Haridwar. While photographed for him for six years, I also interacted with him and learned that Naga Sadhu was actually a warrior saint. Were there Estradaris (Those who specialize in using weapons) and Scripture (Those who have knowledge of the scriptures), “Bandik informs.

A Naga Sadhu Smoking A Chillam
Photo Credit: Banddeep Singh

In his paintings, Bandik creates its subjects against a pitch-black background and uses strobe lights instead of natural light. He catches the body covered with Naga Sadhu and toy ash with shadow to hide his intimate body parts.

Bandik says, “These are studied pictures, the subjects of which are formally presented to the camera. I use a Nikon DSLR D850 and Nikon Z8. I photographed Naga Sadhus, such as a picture of samples in a lab setting. This controlled imagination was done by separating the life, body language and material culture of Naga Sadhu. ,

Wearing Bhasma for Naga Sadhu is not just the task of ritual ornamentation photo credit: Banddeep Singh

One of the most interesting learns, Bandeep says that Ash was revered as a deity by these ascetics. He shares, the central element that defines Naga sadhus from any other monk is the white ash that they covers themselves; It is called bhasma Or Sister in law,

“wearing bhasma For Naga Sadhu, only ritual is not the task of decoration. This is deep spiritual. At the time of initiation in Naga Guna, each ascetic consists of five gurus, one of which is bhasma Guru – who first gives them a secret initiation to wear Bhasma. The application of ash is a process. This applies in one direction, as well as chanting mantras. Then, when the wet ash dries up, it reverses in the other direction and there is another set of mantras for it, ”he says.

Bandik caught Naga Sadhu and a body covered with ashes of toys with shadow to hide his intimate body parts: Banddeep Singh

Naga Sadhu has a reputation to have nature, there were times when they went in the middle of the shoot, remembering Bandeep. But their quick nature, they say, there is a put-on device to keep any worship in the Gulf. “Any kind of adorable or respect, although subtle, is also seen as a trap of attachment. The Naga sadhus saw the worship or respect as an obstacle due to their discovery of complete sacrifice, “he shares.

Worship or respect as a hindrance in the discovery of Naga sadhus in the discovery of their absolute renunciation: Photo Credit: Banddeep Singh

Bandik is now compiling a illustrated book, which shares his title with the name of the exhibition on Naga Sadhu, which is to be released by the end of this year. He says, “I did not leave nudity for pictures displayed in this exhibition; I did not want people to be uncomfortable. However, I am fascinated by the idea of ​​the body in the Indian cultural tradition. My previous exhibition, AntarghatWhat was held about 14 years ago is a will on it. In addition, when one talks about nudity in a spiritual context, it can be considered best through Naga Sadhu. Nudity for them is not a function of exhibition, no message, rebellion or response; This is just a situation. ,

On appearing till 2 March. Portraits, size 2.5×4 feet and 4×8 inch, is priced at above ₹ 2 lakh.