Brett Cole
  • photo library
  • photo galleries
  • random gallery
  • search
  • India library
  • India galleries
  • lightbox
  • licensing
  • cart
  • about
  • contact
Search

Sadhus

Photographs of sadhus (holy people) in India. A sadhu is a “holy” person who has renounced the material world in favor of service to god and pursuit of enlightenment. Generally respected and deferred to by Hindus, they run the gamut from rock star religious figureheads to elderly homeless men on skid row. Gandhi is the most famous sadhu. Sadhus can be encountered anywhere in India, but are more prevalent in “holy” cities like Pushkar, Varanasi, etc., and at Hindu religious festivals. I’ve met and photographed a lot of sadhus, and they’re generally a very nice lot, jolly and open-minded, as one would expect. It is an unhealthy social dynamic in my opinion though, that these men are to be deferred to by “lesser” people. I remember once offering a covered seat to a poor woman and her two young children who were stuck out in a heavy thunderstorm, but the sadhu sitting next to me said no, they can’t sit here, it would be demeaning to his stature.

← 1 2 →
Loading…
Portrait of a pilgrim at the 2013 Kumbh Mela, Allahabad, India.
Portrait of a pilgrim at the 2013 Kumbh Mela, Allahabad, India.
An elerly sadhu (holy man) does yoga at the Gangasagar Mela, a Hindu pilgrimage to Sagar Island in the Bay of Bengal in India...
An elerly sadhu (holy man) does yoga at the Gangasagar Mela, a Hindu pilgrimage to Sagar Island in the Bay of Bengal in India, where the Ganges River meets the sea.
Sweet old baba at Dashashwamedh Ghat, Varanasi, India.
Sweet old baba at Dashashwamedh Ghat, Varanasi, India.
Sadhus at the Gangasagar Mela, Sagar Island, India.
Sadhus at the Gangasagar Mela, Sagar Island, India.
Altar near Dashashwamedh Ghat, Varanasi, India.
Altar near Dashashwamedh Ghat, Varanasi, India.
An elerly sadhu (holy man) does yoga at the Gangasagar Mela, a Hindu pilgrimage to Sagar Island in the Bay of Bengal in India...
An elerly sadhu (holy man) does yoga at the Gangasagar Mela, a Hindu pilgrimage to Sagar Island in the Bay of Bengal in India, where the Ganges River meets the sea.
Sadhus (holy men) sit at a camp on the beach at the Gangasagar Mela (festival), a pilgrimage to Sagar Island in India, where ...
Sadhus (holy men) sit at a camp on the beach at the Gangasagar Mela (festival), a pilgrimage to Sagar Island in India, where the Ganges River meets the sea.
Pilgrims wait at Babughat in Kolkata, India en route to the Gangasagar Mela, a Hindu pilgrimage to Sagar Island in the Bay of...
Pilgrims wait at Babughat in Kolkata, India en route to the Gangasagar Mela, a Hindu pilgrimage to Sagar Island in the Bay of Bengal.
A Naga Sadhu (holy man) smokes a pipe and meditates at a staging area in Kolkata, India for pilgrims going to the Gangasagar ...
A Naga Sadhu (holy man) smokes a pipe and meditates at a staging area in Kolkata, India for pilgrims going to the Gangasagar Mela on Sagar Island south of Kolkata.
Pilgrims wait at Babughat in Kolkata, India en route to the Gangasagar Mela, a Hindu pilgrimage to Sagar Island in the Bay of...
Pilgrims wait at Babughat in Kolkata, India en route to the Gangasagar Mela, a Hindu pilgrimage to Sagar Island in the Bay of Bengal.
An Indian Navy hovercraft shuttles VIPs out of the Gangasagar Mela, a Hindu pilgrimage to Sagar Island in the Bay of Bengal i...
An Indian Navy hovercraft shuttles VIPs out of the Gangasagar Mela, a Hindu pilgrimage to Sagar Island in the Bay of Bengal in India, where the Ganges meets the sea. Here the enormous fans are blowing away the camp of these sadhus (holy men).
An elerly sadhu (holy man) does yoga at the Gangasagar Mela, a Hindu pilgrimage to Sagar Island in the Bay of Bengal in India...
An elerly sadhu (holy man) does yoga at the Gangasagar Mela, a Hindu pilgrimage to Sagar Island in the Bay of Bengal in India, where the Ganges River meets the sea.
Sadhus at the Gangasagar Mela (festival), a pilgrimage to Sagar Island in India, where the Ganges River meets the sea.
Sadhus at the Gangasagar Mela (festival), a pilgrimage to Sagar Island in India, where the Ganges River meets the sea.
A boy in Kolkata, India dressed as Shiva receives baksheesk (donations) at a staging area for pilgrims going to the Gangasaga...
A boy in Kolkata, India dressed as Shiva receives baksheesk (donations) at a staging area for pilgrims going to the Gangasagar Mela on Sagar Island south of Kolkata.
Nighttime view of pilgrims waiting at Babughat in Kolkata, India en route to the Gangasagar Mela, a Hindu pilgrimage to Sagar...
Nighttime view of pilgrims waiting at Babughat in Kolkata, India en route to the Gangasagar Mela, a Hindu pilgrimage to Sagar Island in the Bay of Bengal. No post-processing.
A man prays in the Bay of Bengal at the Gangasagar Mela (festival), a pilgrimage to Sagar Island in India, where the Ganges R...
A man prays in the Bay of Bengal at the Gangasagar Mela (festival), a pilgrimage to Sagar Island in India, where the Ganges River meets the sea.
Sadhus (holy men) sit at a camp on the beach at the Gangasagar Mela (festival), a pilgrimage to Sagar Island in India, where ...
Sadhus (holy men) sit at a camp on the beach at the Gangasagar Mela (festival), a pilgrimage to Sagar Island in India, where the Ganges River meets the sea.
A Naga Sadhu (holy man) smokes a pipe and meditates at a staging area in Kolkata, India for pilgrims going to the Gangasagar ...
A Naga Sadhu (holy man) smokes a pipe and meditates at a staging area in Kolkata, India for pilgrims going to the Gangasagar Mela on Sagar Island south of Kolkata.
A sadhu (holy man) in Kolkata, India gestures as he prepares to make a pilgrimage to Sagar Island in the Bay of Bengal for th...
A sadhu (holy man) in Kolkata, India gestures as he prepares to make a pilgrimage to Sagar Island in the Bay of Bengal for the Gangasagar Mela.
A man prays in the Bay of Bengal at the Gangasagar Mela (festival), a pilgrimage to Sagar Island in India, where the Ganges R...
A man prays in the Bay of Bengal at the Gangasagar Mela (festival), a pilgrimage to Sagar Island in India, where the Ganges River meets the sea.
An elerly sadhu (holy man) does yoga at the Gangasagar Mela, a Hindu pilgrimage to Sagar Island in the Bay of Bengal in India...
An elerly sadhu (holy man) does yoga at the Gangasagar Mela, a Hindu pilgrimage to Sagar Island in the Bay of Bengal in India, where the Ganges River meets the sea.
Sadhu (holy man) with long dreadlocks at the Gangasagar Mela, Sagar Island, India.
Sadhu (holy man) with long dreadlocks at the Gangasagar Mela, Sagar Island, India.
A sadhu (holy man) adjusts his waist-length dreadlocks at the Gangasagar Mela, a Hindu pilgrimage to Sagar Island in the Bay ...
A sadhu (holy man) adjusts his waist-length dreadlocks at the Gangasagar Mela, a Hindu pilgrimage to Sagar Island in the Bay of Bengal in India, where the Ganges meets the sea.
A Naga Sadhu (holy man) smokes a pipe and meditates at a staging area in Kolkata, India for pilgrims going to the Gangasagar ...
A Naga Sadhu (holy man) smokes a pipe and meditates at a staging area in Kolkata, India for pilgrims going to the Gangasagar Mela on Sagar Island south of Kolkata.
A sadhu (holy man) in Kolkata, India gestures as he prepares to make a pilgrimage to Sagar Island in the Bay of Bengal for th...
A sadhu (holy man) in Kolkata, India gestures as he prepares to make a pilgrimage to Sagar Island in the Bay of Bengal for the Gangasagar Mela.
An elerly sadhu (holy man) does yoga at the Gangasagar Mela, a Hindu pilgrimage to Sagar Island in the Bay of Bengal in India...
An elerly sadhu (holy man) does yoga at the Gangasagar Mela, a Hindu pilgrimage to Sagar Island in the Bay of Bengal in India, where the Ganges River meets the sea.
Sadhu at the Gangasagar Mela, Sagar Island, India.
Sadhu at the Gangasagar Mela, Sagar Island, India.
An elerly sadhu (holy man) does yoga at the Gangasagar Mela, a Hindu pilgrimage to Sagar Island in the Bay of Bengal in India...
An elerly sadhu (holy man) does yoga at the Gangasagar Mela, a Hindu pilgrimage to Sagar Island in the Bay of Bengal in India, where the Ganges River meets the sea.
A Naga Sadhu (holy man) smokes a pipe and meditates at a staging area in Kolkata, India for pilgrims going to the Gangasagar ...
A Naga Sadhu (holy man) smokes a pipe and meditates at a staging area in Kolkata, India for pilgrims going to the Gangasagar Mela on Sagar Island south of Kolkata.
A man in white meditates on the banks of the Ganges River, Varanasi, India.
A man in white meditates on the banks of the Ganges River, Varanasi, India.
A sadhu (holy man) adjusts his waist-length dreadlocks at the Gangasagar Mela, a Hindu pilgrimage to Sagar Island in the Bay ...
A sadhu (holy man) adjusts his waist-length dreadlocks at the Gangasagar Mela, a Hindu pilgrimage to Sagar Island in the Bay of Bengal in India, where the Ganges meets the sea.
An elerly sadhu (holy man) does yoga at the Gangasagar Mela, a Hindu pilgrimage to Sagar Island in the Bay of Bengal in India...
An elerly sadhu (holy man) does yoga at the Gangasagar Mela, a Hindu pilgrimage to Sagar Island in the Bay of Bengal in India, where the Ganges River meets the sea.
A group of men bathe and pray in the Bay of Bengal at the Gangasagar Mela (festival), a pilgrimage to Sagar Island in India, ...
A group of men bathe and pray in the Bay of Bengal at the Gangasagar Mela (festival), a pilgrimage to Sagar Island in India, where the Ganges River meets the sea.
A boy in Kolkata, India sits by an idol of Sai Baba at a staging ground for the pilgrimage to the Gangasagar Mela south of Ko...
A boy in Kolkata, India sits by an idol of Sai Baba at a staging ground for the pilgrimage to the Gangasagar Mela south of Kolkata.
A pilgrim in Kolkata, India preparing to go to the Gangasagar Mela on Sagar Island.
A pilgrim in Kolkata, India preparing to go to the Gangasagar Mela on Sagar Island.
Idol of Sai Baba at a temple in Varanasi, India.
Idol of Sai Baba at a temple in Varanasi, India.
Pilgrims pray at Kapil Muni temple on Sagar Island, India, during the Gangasagar Mela, a Hindu pilgrimage that attracts a mil...
Pilgrims pray at Kapil Muni temple on Sagar Island, India, during the Gangasagar Mela, a Hindu pilgrimage that attracts a million people.
, Varanasi, India.
, Varanasi, India.
Portrait of an elderly man at night near Dashashwamedh Ghat, Varanasi, India.
Portrait of an elderly man at night near Dashashwamedh Ghat, Varanasi, India.
A pilgrim in Kolkata, India preparing to go to the Gangasagar Mela on Sagar Island.
A pilgrim in Kolkata, India preparing to go to the Gangasagar Mela on Sagar Island.
A police motorcycle with a decal of Baba Lokenath on the windshield, Shyambazar, Kolkata, India.
A police motorcycle with a decal of Baba Lokenath on the windshield, Shyambazar, Kolkata, India.
Mural featuring Ganesh in Bandra West, Mumbai, India.
Mural featuring Ganesh in Bandra West, Mumbai, India.
Images of Shiva and Sai Baba in a shop in Sovabazar, Kolkata, India.
Images of Shiva and Sai Baba in a shop in Sovabazar, Kolkata, India.
A baba at the Babulnath temple, Mumbai, India.
A baba at the Babulnath temple, Mumbai, India.
Two boys pretending to be sadhus (holy men) to get money from tourists, playing Grand Theft Auto video game, Pushkar, Rajasth...
Two boys pretending to be sadhus (holy men) to get money from tourists, playing Grand Theft Auto video game, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Sai Baba video game parlor, Antop Hill, Mumbai, India.
Sai Baba video game parlor, Antop Hill, Mumbai, India.
Two boys pretending to be sadhus (holy men) to get money from tourists, playing Grand Theft Auto video game, Pushkar, Rajasth...
Two boys pretending to be sadhus (holy men) to get money from tourists, playing Grand Theft Auto video game, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
A sadhu (holy man) reading the morning paper, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
A sadhu (holy man) reading the morning paper, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
A young sadhu rests at Armenian Ghat on the Hoohgly River, Kolkata, India.
A young sadhu rests at Armenian Ghat on the Hoohgly River, Kolkata, India.
Small Baba Lokenath idol adorned in flowers near Kumartoli Ghat, Kolkata, India.
Small Baba Lokenath idol adorned in flowers near Kumartoli Ghat, Kolkata, India.
Two boys pretending to be sadhus (holy men) to get money from tourists, playing Grand Theft Auto video game, Pushkar, Rajasth...
Two boys pretending to be sadhus (holy men) to get money from tourists, playing Grand Theft Auto video game, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Sai Baba poster on a tree decorated with marigold garlands, Bandra, Mumbai, India.
Sai Baba poster on a tree decorated with marigold garlands, Bandra, Mumbai, India.
Sadhu (holy man) walking at sunrise, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
Sadhu (holy man) walking at sunrise, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
Two men dressed as sadhus (holy mena) solicit money from tourists in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India
Two men dressed as sadhus (holy mena) solicit money from tourists in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India
Sadhu drinking water at sunrise in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
Sadhu drinking water at sunrise in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
Sadhus (holy men) walking at sunrise, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
Sadhus (holy men) walking at sunrise, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
Sadhus read newspapers on the street in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
Sadhus read newspapers on the street in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
Sadhu (holy man) at sunrise in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
Sadhu (holy man) at sunrise in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
Sadhu (holy man) walking at sunrise, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
Sadhu (holy man) walking at sunrise, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
Sadhu (holy man) walking at sunrise, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
Sadhu (holy man) walking at sunrise, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
Fake sadhus (holy men) on their way to work for the day, trying to get money from tourists in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Fake sadhus (holy men) on their way to work for the day, trying to get money from tourists in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Procession of Sadhus ("holy men"), Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Procession of Sadhus ("holy men"), Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Procession of Sadhus ("holy men"), Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Procession of Sadhus ("holy men"), Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Elderly sadhus (holy men) walk the steps of a small temple in the lake at Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Elderly sadhus (holy men) walk the steps of a small temple in the lake at Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Baba in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India
Baba in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India
Fake sadhus (holy men) on their way to work for the day, trying to get money from tourists in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Fake sadhus (holy men) on their way to work for the day, trying to get money from tourists in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Sadhus and a tourist walk past a vibrant blue building in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Sadhus and a tourist walk past a vibrant blue building in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
A Sadhu (holy man) at sunset in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
A Sadhu (holy man) at sunset in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Elderly sadhus (holy men) walk the steps of a small temple in the lake at Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Elderly sadhus (holy men) walk the steps of a small temple in the lake at Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
← 1 2 →