Today I want to tell you about the followers of the Hindu religious teaching of Aghor, which has existed for several thousand years.
Aghoris: Religious Corpse-Eaters from India
The rituals of this sect are considered some of the most shocking in the world: the adepts practice eating the remains, meditate among the cremation fires and deliberately violate all the taboos of human society.
For centuries, the British colonizers tried to eradicate India’s “exotic” rituals: they put an end to the sati ritual (widows’ self-immolation), defeated the thuggee sect of stranglers, but they were unable to destroy the Aghoris.
Who are the Aghoris
The Aghoris are a radical sect of Shaivite ascetics. Their philosophy is based on the idea that enlightenment can only be achieved through the complete destruction of society’s conventions. They do not divide the world into clean and unclean, good and evil. For them, everything is a manifestation of Shiva, and therefore equally sacred.
The locals call them “holy people,” but at the same time, they are afraid and avoid them.
Rituals and Practice
The Aghoris are famous for their shocking rituals:
- Eating dead bodies. Cannibalism symbolizes acceptance of death and relief from fear. They believe that it grants superpowers and even stops aging.
- Meditating at cremation sites. It is believed that this is where the line between life and death is most delicate.
- Using remains. Skulls become cups, and they apply the ashes of the deceased to their bodies.
- Ritual sex and drug practices. Alcohol and drugs are sometimes used in rituals to achieve altered states of consciousness.
- Asceticism. Many Aghoris live naked, covered only with ashes, and spend time surrounded by human bones.
Agghori: religious scavengers
Agkhori: Religious Cadavers from India, Photo 1
Agkhori: Religious Cadavers from India, Photo 2
Aghoris: Religious Cadaver-Eaters from India, Photo 3
Agghori: Religious Cadaver-Eaters from India, Photo 4
Agkhori: Religious Cadavers from India, Photo 5
Agkhori: religious flesh-eaters from India, photo 6
Aghoris: Religious Necrophiliacs from India, Photo 7
Agkhori: Religious Cadaver Eaters from India, Photo 8
Aghoris: Religious Cadaver-Eaters from India, Photo 9
Agghori: religious corpse-eaters from India, photo 10
Agghori
Public Opinion
Cannibalism is illegal in India, so Agghori try to avoid contact with outsiders. However, they are more likely to interact with tourists than with locals, as tourists are less likely to report them to the police.
You can find the Aghoris in the Varanasi region, as well as in West Bengal. These are the main centers of their practices.
Modernity
Despite their wild and shocking practices, the number of Aghori followers in India continues to grow. The sect is not outlawed, as the Indian government values religious diversity and avoids interfering with religious practices, even if they cause controversy and fear.
The Aghoris are not just a “scary sect,” but a unique challenge to the established order, striving to transcend all human taboos in pursuit of spiritual liberation. To some, they are seen as madmen and outcasts, while others view them as guardians of ancient wisdom. Regardless, their existence serves as a reminder of the diverse and sometimes enigmatic world of Indian spiritual practices.
