Thursday, March 8, 2018

The cannibal monks of Varanasi: Indian tribe feasts on human flesh, drink from skulls and live among the dead

The cannibal monks of Varanasi: Indian tribe feasts on human flesh, drink from skulls and live among the dead

  • The Aghori monks of Varanasi are feared throughout India for their extreme practices
  • The monks are said to be able to predict the future and make evil prophecies
  • The exiled tribe believe in engaging in taboo practices in search of spiritual enlightenment 

The cannibal monks of Varanasi: Indian tribe feasts on human flesh, drink from skulls and live among the dead

  • The Aghori monks of Varanasi are feared throughout India for their extreme practices
  • The monks are said to be able to predict the future and make evil prophecies
  • The exiled tribe believe in engaging in taboo practices in search of spiritual enlightenment 
  • Feared across India, the exiled Aghori monks of Varanasi feast on human flesh and reside near cremation sites in search of spiritual enlightenment.
    Showing the monks with painted faces and beads strung around their necks, these incredible images were taken by Italian photographer Cristiano Ostinelli, who spent time with the tribe to discover more about their way of life.
    The mysterious tribe members live in cemeteries and feast on human flesh as part of their rituals, as well as drinking from human skulls, chewing the heads off live animals and meditating on top of cadavers in search of spiritual enlightenment.
    The Aghori monks of Varanasi are feared throughout India and are believed to be able to see the future
    The Aghori monks of Varanasi are feared throughout India and are believed to be able to see the future
    Italian photographer Cristiano Ostinelli spent time with the mysterious tribe to capture their mysterious way of life
    Italian photographer Cristiano Ostinelli spent time with the mysterious tribe to capture their mysterious way of life
    The monks feast on human flesh, drink from human skulls and are even said to bite the heads off life animals for their rituals
    The monks feast on human flesh, drink from human skulls and are even said to bite the heads off life animals for their rituals
    Mr Ostinelli explained: 'There is a great mystery around them and the Indians fear them, they say they can predict the future, walk on water and do evil prophecies.'
    The monks use a combination of marijuana, alcohol and meditation to help them reach a disconnected state of heightened awareness and bring themselves closer to revered Hindu god Lord Shiva.
    The Aghori also believe that by immersing themselves without prejudice in what others deem taboo or disturbing, they're on course to achieving enlightenment.
    The Varanasi tribe live near cremation sites and use a combination of alcohol and marijuana with meditation to reach enlightenment
    The Varanasi tribe live near cremation sites and use a combination of alcohol and marijuana with meditation to reach enlightenment
    The monks trace their roots to the 17th-century puritan Baba Kinaram, who is said to have lived to the age of 170
    The monks trace their roots to the 17th-century puritan Baba Kinaram, who is said to have lived to the age of 170
    With painted faces and often seen wearing little or no clothing, their way of life is said to discourage an attachment to earthly delusions
    With painted faces and often seen wearing little or no clothing, their way of life is said to discourage an attachment to earthly delusions
    The monks believe that the body is inconsequential and flesh and blood are simply transitory, which is why they surround themselves with death and decay
    The monks believe that the body is inconsequential and flesh and blood are simply transitory, which is why they surround themselves with death and decay
    They live among India's cremation sites - where Lord Shiva and goddess Kali Ma are said to dwell - and feed on what others throw away.
    Bodies are often cremated and then scattered into the sacred Ganges river, but some bodies are disposed of without cremation.
    The Aghori are said to collect these remains and use them for their spiritual enlightenment, wearing the corpses, consuming them or building alters from them. 
    The mysterious tribe drink alcohol from human skulls, known as kapalas, and are said to also drink urine and eat faecal matter
    The mysterious tribe drink alcohol from human skulls, known as kapalas, and are said to also drink urine and eat faecal matter
    The Italian photographer spent time with the tribe, which lives on the fringes of society, to capture incredible images of their way of life
    The Italian photographer spent time with the tribe, which lives on the fringes of society, to capture incredible images of their way of life
    The Italian photographer spent time with the tribe, which lives on the fringes of society, to capture incredible images of their way of life
    Their religion is a sect of Hinduism, but the monks are often viewed with disgust and fear by their fellow countrymen
    Their religion is a sect of Hinduism, but the monks are often viewed with disgust and fear by their fellow countrymen
    The tribe's belief extend to them often walking around without clothes to signify the human body in its purest form
    The tribe's belief extend to them often walking around without clothes to signify the human body in its purest form
    There are just 20 of the group said to be living in Varanasi today, but in the 19th century they numberes in their hundreds
    There are just 20 of the group said to be living in Varanasi today, but in the 19th century they numberes in their hundreds
    The monks use their unusual rituals to bring them closer to the revered Hindu god Shiva
    The monks use their unusual rituals to bring them closer to the revered Hindu god Shiva
    The monks believe that flesh and blood are transitory and that the body is ultimately inconsequential.
    They emphasise this notion through their habit of dwelling in cemeteries and by surrounding themselves with death and decay.
    The Aghori shun material belongings and often walk around unclothed. This encourages detachment from what they see as earthly delusions and better signifies the human body in its purest form.
    Today's Aghori trace their roots to 17th-century puritan Baba Kinaram, who is said to have lived to the age of 170.

    SOURCES ......GIVEN
    POSTED BY ...VIPUL KOUL
     

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