Text credits: Lakshmi Priya

Aghoris, the ardent followers or devotees of Lord Shiva are those people who seek enlightenment through the process of reincarnation. Usually seen at Varanasi and the Himalayan terrains of India, Aghoris are known for the unusual and bizarre rituals they follow. From roaming around naked to eating dead bodies, their practices can be jaw-dropping as well hard to digest. Here are some of the shocking facts which can definitely give you a deeper insight into the story of the mystical and infamous Aghoris.

Shiva is the cause and effect of everything

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Aghoris believes that Shiva is the reason behind everything that happens in the universe. They believe that Shiva is the epitome of perfection and the denial of perfection in any form is equal to the denial of the supreme being. They also believe that every human soul is Shiva, but covered with certain bonds. In order to break these bonds, which is known as ‘asthamahapasa’ (eight great bonds), they engage in some weird practices associated with cremation, sex and many more. In the end, after the successful release of these bonds, they believe that human beings attain ‘moksha’ (enlightenment).

Baba Keenaram – The first Aghori who lived 150 years

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The origin of Aghoris can be traced back to the 18th century, the period of Baba Keenaram, an ascetic who is believed to live 150 years. Baba Keenaram who is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva is the founding father of Aghoris, the ascetic Shaiva sadhus.

Kali – The one who demands

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Aghoris believe in Kali (The Hindu Goddess), the female counterpart of Shiva who demands satisfaction through every ritual they undergo like eating meat, drinking alcohol, using drugs and engaging in sex.

Aghoris engage in post-mortem rituals

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Highly contradictory to the orthodox practices of Hinduism, Aghoris usually undergo certain bizarre rituals like dwelling in the cremation grounds, smearing the ashes of cremation all over their body and using bones from human corpses to make ‘Kapal’ (skull cups). They use these skulls to drink alcohol, eat food and even to beg. Also, at night they visit these deserted cemeteries in order to meditate.

Aghoris follow Cannibalism

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Aghoris believe that God exists in everything. This the reason why they don’t feel gross to perform weird rituals. They eat everything from faeces, human fluids and even dead bodies. Aghoris don’t show discrimination in any form and believe everything around them to be holy.

Bizzare sexual practices

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Aghoris follows necrophilia – sexual intercourse with corpses and believes that it is the command of Kali. When the goddess demands sex they find a suitable dead body to engage in sex with them. Also, Aghoris believe that engaging in sex amidst the dead body can help them attain supernatural powers. For this, during the night, they go to cremation grounds in groups to perform sex. With the sound of drums and reciting sacred mantras, men and women engage in sex with their bodies covered in cremation ashes. To add to the bizarreness, the women are expected to be menstruating during this ritual.

An open heart and body

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They live their life like how they were born. In order to be similar to Shiva in appearance, Aghoris either wears a loincloth or usually roams in naked. Their bodies are always covered with ashes which are believed to be protecting their body from diseases. They use human skulls as ornaments and never comb or cut their hair, because of which they have long deadlocks in hair. These Shiva devotees are not ashamed about their body and never feels the need of hiding it even during worse weather conditions.

Non-restrained use of Cannabis

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Aghoris are excessive users of cannabis, also known as Marijuana which is a psychoactive drug. They also drink Bhang, an edible preparation of cannabis. It provides them hallucination and heightened spiritual experiences. Aghoris believe that the usage of drugs is the way to god and salvation.

No to hatred

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Aghoris do not carry the feeling of hatred to anyone in any form and consider all the living and non-living things on Earth equally. According to them, a person with hatred in mind cannot meditate and attain moksha or enlightenment.

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