1008 posts since 2008

Dandapani’s Blog

Welcome! Sharing my reflections on the spiritual path.
Join me on a profound journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth.

Apr 29, 2012

Monks embracing technology

For Day 11 of our series of images on sadhus I bring you a photo I took about 3 years back at the Kumbha Mela festival in Haridwar of a sadhu. I was focused on a photographing a parade when I noticed someone standing next to me. I peeked out of the corner of my eye and here was this sadhu standing next to me, modestly dressed in a loin cloth, filming with a Sony video camera. I could not resist ...

Apr 28, 2012
1 MINUTE READ

Parade of Sadhus at the Kumbha Mela

One of the visually striking things at the Kumbha Mela is the parades that take place mainly on the main bathing day during the festival. Here a sadhu dances jubilantly waving a long sword as he parades down the street with thousands of other monastics headed to the sacred Ganges
Apr 27, 2012

Gallery of Sadhus, Kumbha Mela (Day 8)

Certain sects of monastics within Hinduism, most notably the naga sadhus, often cover their entire body with ash. Ash symbolizes the transient nature of life and things. The application of ash on their body is a constant reminder that their body will be gone one day but the soul
Apr 27, 2012
1 MINUTE READ

How long should I sit for when I meditate?

A couple of days ago we gave a response to the question "What are one of the first things to do when one wants to begin a meditation practice?" and we ended the blog post with the question “How long should I sit for?” Here's our response to that question. Well if you've never m
Apr 27, 2012
1 MINUTE READ

Gallery of Sadhus, Kumbha Mela (Day 9)

It does not happen often but you'll find from time to time young men taking to the monastic path early on in life. The world no longer holds any fascination to them and they realize the transient nature of life, thus they seek the Self. My guru says the following "The Self: you
Apr 25, 2012
1 MINUTE READ

Meditation's first steps (Part 1)

What are one of the first things to do when one wants to begin a meditation practice? I often get asked this question. One of the first things you should do is to make an appointment with yourself each day. The appointment with yourself involves sitting down for a period of time
Apr 25, 2012
1 MINUTE READ

Sadhvi, Hindu Women Monastics

You don't see too many women monks, or nuns if you are being pedantic, but there are some. Women generally tend to gravitate towards the householders path therefore you see fewer women renunciates then you do men. Here's a photo of a sadhvi, a woman monastic. Men are called sadh