Sadhus

A sadhu is a Hindu holy person who has renounced worldly life to pursue spiritual liberation, or moksha. Sadhus may live as wanderers or reside in temples and ashrams, and they typically surrender property, family ties, and personal wealth. Their primary aim is spiritual practice and self-realization, often supported by alms from devotees and communities.

Lifestyle and practices commonly include intense meditation and yoga, study of sacred texts, celibacy, and long periods of fasting or austere discipline. Many sadhus depend on alms for food and shelter; they usually wear saffron or ochre robes, smear the body with ash (vibhuti), and some have matted hair or shave their heads.

Different traditions and orders give rise to variety among sadhus. Some renounce all possessions as sannyasis, while others remain householders who acknowledge the renunciatory path. Naga Sadhus, among the most recognizable, are often associated with Shaivism; they may be naked, covered in ash, and part of monastic councils known as akharas. Sadhus may follow Shaiva, Vaishnava, or other devotional lines and may participate in major pilgrimages and festivals.

In Indian culture, sadhus are seen as spiritual guides and symbols of renunciation. They play prominent roles in pilgrimages such as the Kumbh Mela, where different akharas assemble. Their status varies by region and tradition, and public perceptions range from reverence to concern over health, safety, or the activities of a few individuals.

See also: sannyasi, akhara, Hinduism, monasticism.