Birth, death and rebirth, these three phenomena are the truth of our universe. These three follow one another in a perpetual cyclical movement. Shiva, the ultimate God,

संकट रहे ना भय , महादेव की जय ~ बम बम भोले

Birth, death and rebirth, these three phenomena are the truth of our universe. These three follow one another in a perpetual cyclical movement. Shiva, the ultimate God, the Maheshwar, is the symbol of both Destruction, death as well as creation, birth and rebirth. Covered in ashes, Shiva is recognised as the giver as well as a taker of life. He is at once attached to the world and detached from all worldly substance. No emotional bonds hold him down. Appearance wise, the devout followers of Lord Shiva, the Sadhus try and follow the Maheshwar in every aspect of their lives. This is because to the Sadhus, Lord Shiva is the ultimate Yogi. Taking a cue from Lord Shiva's appearance, they roam naked, renouncing the worldly moh mayas, cover their body in ashes as a symbol of birth and death, and rebirth. These Sadhus, going the full extent, live nomadic lives, wear their hair in jata and much more. One of the most photographed but least understood, the Naga Sadhus are the warrior ascetics. Living their lives as nomads, smoking chillum, and body covered in ashes and of course, as a renouncement of the worldly mayas, they roam naked. These warrior sadhus have been around since prehistoric times. They are polar opposites of the image of the peace-loving sadhus as they consider themselves warriors and can be violently gruesome when required. They are difficult to decipher as are the 13 akharas or sects in Hinduism. They prefer not to be messed with too. They are possibly the largest and the most prominent sects of Shaivas, Shiva followers. The occult science of Tantra Mantra also resonates with Lord Shiva and of the Shaivas, the Gorakhnathis adhere to the dark Tantric techniques or Tantra Mantras. While they are very similar to the Sanyasis or Sadhus, yogis etc., they do not follow the Vedic teachings of Lord Shiva. They follow their Tantric guru, Gorakhnath. They worship Lord Shiva manifestation of Lord Bhairavnath along with Dattatreya and Hanuman.! Love & Peace ~ Boom Shankar!