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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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