Naga Sadhus or Naga Babas are a sect of worshippers of Lord Shiva who believe in the philosophy of becoming shiva to worship shiva. They look fierce in appearance but are very gentle. Detached totally from this world, they live in seclusion in the Himalayas. The Kumbh Mela is the only time of the year during which they come out of long seclusion. One can easily identify the Naga sadhus by their matted long hair and bhasma (ash) on their body. Soon after attaining status of Naga Sadhu, they are to renounce cloths and other earthly possessions. To enhance meditation, Naga Sadhus smoke a mixture of cannabis and tobacco.
Aghoris- The nomadic monks live by the principle of the uncertainty of life. These monks, called Aghoris, engage in post-mortem rituals, cannibalism, and other similar rites. They give up on all their earthly possessions, bathe in the Ganges and cover themselves with ash. These sages are believed to have invincible healing powers.
Since the 5th century B.C., the Aghoris have followed the path of Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction. They believe he resides in the cremation grounds, known as shmashana (Cremation ground). Aghoris immerse themselves in environments where death is a part of their daily routine. When they take an oath to become Aghoris, they consider the sky as their father and the land as their mother. One of the practices of the Aghori is cannibalism but they do not kill people for their flesh. The flesh of corpses brought to the cremation grounds is what they consume. This human flesh is often eaten raw, though at times it is roasted over an open fire.
Kalpvasis are the people who live by the banks of the Ganges and follow Kalpvasa. These are another group of pilgrims or saints who spend 48 days (the Maha Kumbh period) meditating and in Tapasya. They practice austerities to get the most out of their time in Maha Kumbh and live in tents nearby.
Note: If you are planning to be in the patronage of true Sages, then it’s best to get a few things straight. True Sadhus prefer seclusion; they are free from the world’s materialism, so Maha Kumbh is the only way you can get to know them. They will be in hiding, and you will only see them during Shahi Snans or at Akhara meets. So, if someone approaches you calling themselves a Sadhu or God, don’t believe them. They can scam you.
