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THE MYSTERIOUS HOLY MEN OF NEPAL

Meet the wandering ‘monks’ who shun home comforts and even attend their own FUNERAL so they can pursue a reclusive life in caves, forests and temples

After being declared ritually dead, many live seculded life of mediation and hashish smoking

THESE fascinating pictures give a glimpse into the lives of Nepal’s reclusive holy men – known as Sadhus.

They have left all materialistic and sexual pleasures behind to live a life devoted to God.

A holy dude with a decorative face and headdress wearing sunglasses, taken in Kathmandu, Nepal
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A holy dude with a decorative face and headdress wearing sunglasses, taken in Kathmandu, NepalCredit: Barcroft Media

Their appearances vary from brightly coloured face paints, and decorations, to minimalistic practical clothing.

But they all represent the fundamental values and meanings of Hinduism.

Sadhus in Nepal are also well-known for smoking pot to gain a high level of meditation.

Danish photographer Jan Moeller Hansen visited the ancient capital city of Kathmandu between 2013 and 2016 and documented the mysterious holy wanderers.

This dreadlocked holyman has a wee toke on his chillum
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This dreadlocked holyman has a wee toke on his chillumCredit: Barcroft Media
This Sadhu performs a holy ritual
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This Sadhu performs a holy ritualCredit: Barcroft Media
This holyman from Kathmandu, Nepahas, has extremely long dreadlocks
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This holyman from Kathmandu, Nepahas, has extremely long dreadlocksCredit: Barcroft Media
The dreadlocks form over years of never cutting their hair
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The dreadlocks form over years of never cutting their hairCredit: Barcroft Media
This man's dreadlocks are down to his feet
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This man's dreadlocks are down to his feetCredit: Barcroft Media
A holy man with a decorative face and headdress, taken in Kathmandu
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A holy man with a decorative face and headdress, taken in KathmanduCredit: Barcroft Media

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This holyman has a radio where he can hear the society he has given up
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This holyman has a radio where he can hear the society he has given upCredit: Barcroft Media

Chatting with a Sadhu is said to be either wildly puzzling or deeply insightful.

Most speak Hindi, only few speak English.

But if you now want to join these fellas you will have to do more than attend a language class.

First the trainee holyman undergoes religious instruction after cutting all ties with his former life. That means binning your smartphone or tablet. In fact you must own no luxuries at all.

Many a east London hipster would be jealous of this beard
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Many a east London hipster would be jealous of this beardCredit: Barcroft Media
Four holymen - one European looking - sit in a buildingin Kathmandu
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Four holymen - one European looking - sit in a buildingin KathmanduCredit: Barcroft Media
To sit, meditate and contemplate is part of a Sadhu's life
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To sit, meditate and contemplate is part of a Sadhu's lifeCredit: Barcroft Media

After waving goodbye to family and friends - and the society they live in - there is one more drastic step.

People become holymen after being declared ritually dead - they even attend their own funerals.

They must then seek a guru to perform "guruseva" which means service and learn the ways of the Sadhu.

But then you have to decide which of the many sects in Nepal to join.

Each has their own rituals and rites of passage before allowing an individual to become a fully fledged Sadhu.

Women can also become Sadhus and are known as Sadhvi. There are less of them but they nonetheless well regarded and follow the same quest for spiritual enlightenment.

This holyman leans on his arm
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This holyman leans on his armCredit: Barcroft Media
A holy woman in a decorative headdress, taken in Kathmandu, Nepal
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A holy woman in a decorative headdress, taken in Kathmandu, NepalCredit: Barcroft Media
A holy man with a paint face smiles
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A holy man with a paint face smilesCredit: Barcroft Media

Sadhus are a wandering group. They often take pilgrimages to numerous religious festivals around Nepal.

Most celebrated of all is the festival of Sadhus in Nepal called Shivaratri which honours the Hindu deity Shiva.

During this time visitors to the remote and mountainous country can see many Sadhus in Pashupatinath, which contains Nepal’s oldest and most revered Hindu temple.

The Sadhus are wandering people on a spiritual odyssey
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The Sadhus are wandering people on a spiritual odysseyCredit: Barcroft Media
A holyman leans on a swing chair
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A holyman leans on a swing chairCredit: Barcroft Media
Two holy men with a decorative faces and head dresses
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Two holy men with a decorative faces and head dressesCredit: Barcroft Media

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