Sadhu covered in ash.
Maha Shivaratri. An ocean of saffron. Sadhus or hindu “holy men” are covered in ash from the myriad of bonfires. The smoke from the wood burns your eyes as if it was onion vapor rub. Thousands of devotees step on your feet while trying to skip the line to enter the Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu, Nepal. A unique melody arises from the crowd: a mix of vedic scriptures and excited yelps from festival revelers. Teenagers click selfies with Sadhus, honoring both their Hindu and their virtual god. The smell of hash is thick and suspended in the air. Today, the police is turning a blind eye as cannabis is considered the sacrament of the festival. Nearly one million devotees from across South Asia thronged the mystical Pashupatinath temple on Friday to observe the Maha Shivaratri festival. Around five thousand religious ascetics from Nepal and India celebrated the event in the honor of the Hindu God, Lord Shiva. Here are some pictures from this holy festival.
Sadhvi, religious ascetic, in Kathmandu, 2014.
Sadhu at night
Sadhu chilling.
Sadhu making tea.
Young sadhu.
Sadhvi in Pashupatinath.
Sadhvi sleeping.
Sadhu and selfies.
