Dream Trip 2009

Great Travel Moment

Saddhus are prevalent all over the Indian sub-continent. Devotees of the destroyer-god Shiva, they are wandering holy men. From all walks of life, saddhus renounce all worldly possessions and commit themselves to worship. They are considered dead unto themselves and by the nation of India itself; many are required to ritually attend their own funerals prior to beginning study with a guru. They are usually seen in orange robes and most have dread-locks. Carrying a tiffin tin and sometimes a staff (reminiscent of Shiva's trident), they roam India and take charity from the population. I captured this sage in Varanasi, the holiest of Indian cities, along the banks of the Ganges. Morning ablutions completed, he sat on the ghat and, with legs crossed, called me over. Like with most conversation in India, this one lasted for some time.