Aghoris have also been associated with making love to the corpses as well as using human skulls for grisly religious rituals. But that’s not all, there’s more to the Aghori clan than what meets the eye and that’s exactly what we’re going to tell you in these 10 bizarre facts. Read on!
1) Aghoris are the worshippers of Shiva—the destroyer or its female counterpart Kali or Shakti—who’s the goddess of death. Now, unlike other sadhus who practice absolute abstinence, Aghoris believe that that it’s actually the goddess who demands satisfaction by consuming meat, alcohol and by practicing sex. They also believe that god exists in everything—therefore they consume feces, human fluids and putrefying human corpses. By doing this, Aghoris try to assimilate the oneness of things (both holy and unholy) and define the true perception of beauty.
2) One of the most perverted practices of Aghori sadhus is necrophilia. As per them when goddess Kali demands satisfaction in sex, they find a ‘suitable’ corpse to fornicate with. In an interview with renowned photographer Davor Rostuhar, an Aghori says ‘the reason why we do things that seem outrageous to the outside world is actually simple. To find purity in the filthiest! If an Aghori manages to remain focused on God even during sex with a corpse or while eating a human brain, then he is on the right way."
4) Aghoris never hold grudges and hate in their heart for they believe that the ones who hate can never meditate. They also find sharing food to dogs and cows from the same bowl to be rather pleasing. They think by eliminating these negative thoughts (of animals dirtying their food), they’ll be able to focus on their ultimate aim—of becoming one with Lord Shiva.
5) They move about by wearing nothing except probably a skimpy jute loin cloth, or even at times nude with just ash (from human cremated remains) smeared on their whole bodies. Ash is known to be made of the 5 essential elements of life and thus is believed to protect an Aghora from disease and mosquitoes. This is done primarily to imitate the physical appearance of Lord Shiva himself.
6) The possession of a human skull or ‘kapal’ is in fact a true sign of an Aghora. They’re meant to obtain that from the floating corpses of holy men who’ve been laid to rest in the waters. After which they will use it either as a drinking vessel for liquor, a dish for food, or as a begging bowl.
7) Aghoris hope to gain magical powers to simply cure and heal by breaking the rules between pure and impure, clean and the unclean and holy and unholy. At night when everyone’s fast asleep, they look to meditate in peace at the cremation grounds.
8) The sect also believes in profanity being the ultimate path to Niravana and liberation of the soul. This is the reason why they are often seen using profanities and loudly cursing for no apparent reason. This is the only way in which an Aghora can attain enlightenment. Strange as it may sound, they’re also known to give blessings to people by cursing them.
9) They are often seen sporting human skulls around their necks as jewellery—only fitting considering human skull is an important part of their life. Some of them are also reported to use the thigh bone of cremated people like a walking stick as an ‘Aghoran’ symbol. They almost never cut or wash their hair which is why natural dreadlocks have become a part of their identity.
10) Aghoris believe in smoking Marijuana because they think it helps them concentrate on the strenuous meditation practices they routinely perform. In fact they are under the effect of marijuana almost all the time but still appear to be calm as ever. The hallucinations provided by the drug are taken as ‘heightened spiritual experiences.’