Sadhus in Hinduism are wandering holy men or monks revered for being good. Many Sadhus are also Yogis who are practitioners of meditation. They have have chosen a life away from or at least on the edges of normal society to focus on their own spiritual practice.
Sadhu’s are referred to as Baba’s by locals
Talking with a Sadhu is said to either be wildly confusing or deeply insightful. Either way being able to speak Hindi is a huge advantage in deciphering what they are saying. However a few Sadhus do understand more English than you might at first have guessed.
Sadhu’s are peaceful and do not have any possessions
Sadhus in Nepal live a simple un-materialistic life
They do not have any material nor sexual attachments. Many live in basic dwellings such as in caves, forests or Hindu temples. Some Sadhus claim to live with ghosts in cemeteries.  Sadhus live on the support of the people they encounter. Though the purists say otherwise in my experience they do accept donations for food or clothing.
Sadhus in Nepal are usually very friendly
Such a life of hardship means not many follow the path of a true Sadhu. However there are many fake Sadhus who come out only on such occasions as festivals to cash in on the generosity of others. Or simply to make money by other means.
At Pashupatinath one man claiming to be a Sadhu approached me looking for money. A Nepalese friend said he was from India. I told him to go away and that I came here to see Nepal and not hand money to people asking for it from India.
The crowd around us broke out into a loud cheer of Nepalese national pride. The money asking Sadhu slipped away.
Sadhu eating dal bhat
How to become a Sadhu
After an education a Sadhu will first cut ties with everything. Including possessions, friends, family and society. They are in fact declared ritually dead, and often attend their own funerals. They must then seek a guru to perform ‘guruseva’ which means service and learn the ways of the Sadhu.
A ninety plus year old Sadhu
Throughout India and Nepal there are many different sects of Sadhus. Each sect has their own rituals and rights of passage before allowing an individual to become a Sadhu. Women can also become Sadhus and are known as Sadhvi.
Sadhus inside a temple compound being fed dal bhat
Sadhu pilgrimages
Sadhus often take on pilgrimages to various religious festivals in both India and Nepal. The most celebrated festival of Sadhus in Nepal is Shivaratri. Shivaratri is held in honor of the Hindu deity Shiva. If you visit Nepal during this time you’ll see many Sadhus in Pashupatinath which contains Nepal’s oldest Hindu temple.
Sadhus will sit and meditate for hours
Sadhus in Nepal are well-known for smoking hashish. They use the drug to help gain a high level of meditation.
An old Sadhu making a pilgrimage to Kathmandu
The Hanuman Sadhu
While at Shivaratri in Nepal I came across one the more unusual Sadhus. A Sadhu dressed like the Hindu deity Hanuman who has the face of a monkey. I’m told that this is how he makes his living as he does create quite an attraction.
A crouching Hanuman Sadhu about to approach a tourist
I did witness the Hanuman Sadhu eating and talking with other Sadhus so I don’t think it’s all gimmick. The costume itself is elaborately decorated and complete with a monkey’s tail. The man behind the mask bares lines of age so I do also think he’s been around a while.
Face of the Hanuman Sadhu in Nepal
Sadhus of Nepal come from all around the Hindu world
Sadhus are wandering Holy men that traverse not just Nepal and India but further afield as well. They are a different breed of traveler. They live like few other people on earth.
These are the Sadhus of Nepal.
