Latest news with #Aghori
United News of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Shiv Sena (UBT) mounts pressure on Fadnavis govt to sack controversial ministers
Mumbai, July 22 (UNI) Shiv Sena (UBT) has escalated pressure on Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to immediately reshuffle his cabinet and remove five to six ministers embroiled in controversies ranging from alleged gambling in the Assembly to bribery and honey-trap scandals. The demand features prominently in Tuesday's editorial of the party mouthpiece 'Saamana', which claims Union Home Minister Amit Shah has directed decisive action over these ethical breaches. The editorial mentions multiple allegations against cabinet members: one minister reportedly played rummy during legislative proceedings, another allegedly flaunted cash-filled bags while smoking publicly, and a third is accused of involvement in a girlfriend's murder. It further references the Nashik honey-trap scandal implicating 'fourth and fifth ministers,' asserting that such conduct violates the government's professed Hindutva principles. Specifically named ministers facing calls for expulsion include Sanjay Shirsat, Yogesh Kadam, Manik Kokate, Dada Bhuse, and Sanjay Rathod—alongside unnamed figures linked to the Nashik case. The Thackeray faction contends that these names dominate political discourse, with Shah having "issued clear instructions" for their removal. The editorial mocks the cabinet's spiritual pretensions, noting some ministers performed 'Aghori puja' at Assam's Kamakhya temple before taking office but "misjudged their timing" given current controversies. It alleges BJP ministers' involvement in honey-trap operations despite Fadnavis' recent Assembly denial of such schemes, claiming police seek hidden pen drives containing "government ministers' secrets" related to the case. NI AAA AAB
Indian Express
04-07-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Walking with sadhus: 6 books on India's mystical traditions
(Written by Krishika Dinesh Rathod) India's spiritual tapestry is rich, diverse, and often enigmatic. Among its most intriguing threads are the lives of sadhus and aghoris—wandering ascetics who have renounced worldly life in pursuit of higher consciousness. While many of us have seen their dreadlocks, ash-smeared bodies, or feared their association with cremation grounds, very few truly understand who they are, what they seek, or why they live as they do. Fortunately, a few authors and seekers have ventured deep into this world and returned with stories, reflections, and truths that attempt to unravel this complex spiritual subculture. This article explores a curated list of books that illuminate the lives of sadhus and aghoris, not through sensationalism, but through genuine spiritual insight, compelling narrative, and powerful documentation. Each book is accompanied by its publication details, page count, availability, and price, making it easier for readers to explore further. Publisher: Anecdote Publishing House Pages: 220 pages Price: ₹299 (Paperback on Amazon India) Available at: Amazon, Flipkart This novel blends spirituality and storytelling to introduce the reader to the mysterious world of aghoris. Kalbag, a leadership coach and spiritual explorer, crafts the journey of a young man who, after a series of personal crises, sets off on a path to self-discovery in the Himalayas. Along the way, he encounters an Aghori baba who becomes his spiritual guide. Through their relationship, the book explores themes of fear, ego dissolution, death, and divine consciousness. What makes this book stand out is its approachable language. It does not burden the reader with heavy theological concepts but instead presents a spiritual transformation in a story-like format. The novel serves as both a mirror and a map—encouraging readers to reflect on their own fears and beliefs, while learning about the Aghori tradition in a more personal, humanized way. Publisher: Anecdote Publishing House Pages: 190 pages Price: ₹325 (Paperback on Amazon India) Available at: Amazon, Flipkart The sequel takes the spiritual journey further. This second installment follows the protagonist's continued immersion into the world of aghoris, this time diving deeper into their rituals, mantras, and spiritual practices. The novel reveals more of the sacred knowledge passed down from guru to disciple, showing how transformation is not a moment but a long, intense process. Mayur Kalbag also infuses the narrative with philosophical ideas drawn from ancient Indian scriptures, creating a delicate balance between fiction and spiritual teaching. The tone becomes slightly more meditative in this book, inviting readers to contemplate not just the practices of the Aghoris but the broader question of what it means to live fearlessly and with surrender. If the first part awakens curiosity, the second part nurtures depth. Publisher: C.W. Daniel Company (India edition: Rupa Publications) Pages: 327 pages Price: ₹449 (Paperback on Amazon India) Available at: Amazon, Flipkart This book is widely considered a spiritual classic, especially for those intrigued by the esoteric practices of the Aghori sect. Written by Dr. Robert Svoboda, a Western ayurvedic physician and student of the Aghori Vimalananda, the book is based on real-life conversations and experiences. It presents the teachings of Vimalananda in an unfiltered, often shocking, but deeply insightful way. Rather than glorifying the Aghori lifestyle, Svoboda offers a raw look into their practices: from meditating in cremation grounds to consuming substances society deems taboo. But this isn't done for shock value. Every ritual is rooted in a philosophy that aims to transcend duality—good and evil, pure and impure, life and death. The book is not an easy read; it challenges your ideas of morality and spirituality. Yet, for the serious seeker, it opens doors that few other books dare to even knock on. Publisher: Inner Traditions Pages: 144 pages Price: ₹2,500 (Hardcover on Amazon India) Available at: Amazon This book is a visual and ethnographic masterpiece. Dutch author and photographer Dolf Hartsuiker spent decades documenting the spiritual lives of Indian sadhus, and this book is the culmination of that lifelong fascination. Richly illustrated with high-resolution photographs, Sadhus: Holy Men of India captures the incredible diversity among ascetics—from the celibate Vaishnavite monks to the naked, ash-covered Naga sadhus. Each image is accompanied by brief but insightful commentary on the subject's beliefs, practices, and way of life. With every turn of the page, you feel closer to the akharas, the Kumbh Mela gatherings, the cave dwellers, and temple wanderers. While it's priced higher due to its collectible nature, it's a gem for those interested in anthropology, spirituality, and Indian culture. Publisher: Wisdom Tree Pages: 132 pages Price: ₹245 (Paperback on Amazon India) Available at: Amazon, Flipkart This book serves as an excellent primer on the lives of Indian sadhus. Unlike more academic or esoteric works, Rajesh Kumar Singh's writing is journalistic, accessible, and filled with first-hand interviews and ground-level observations. The title itself signals its intent—to break past the visual clichés of dreadlocks and saffron robes and reach the spiritual core of these individuals. Singh explores various sadhu sects, their daily routines, their ideas about renunciation, their relationship with society, and the contradictions they live with. The book subtly hints at how even renunciation has adapted in a rapidly modernizing India. Whether you're a student, a traveler, or a spiritual enthusiast, this book offers clarity without oversimplifying. Publisher: Destiny Books Pages: 288 pages Price: ₹1,399 (Paperback on Amazon India) Available at: Amazon Baba Rampuri's memoir is unlike anything else on this list. Born William A. Gans, an American who arrived in India in the 1970s in search of truth, he was eventually initiated into the ancient order of the Naga Sadhus. His book is a vivid and brutally honest account of his transformation from a foreign outsider to a deeply entrenched sadhu, living and training under the guidance of Indian spiritual masters. The power of this book lies in its duality—he is both the observer and the participant. His Western background gives him a unique lens, allowing him to translate complex Indian spiritual ideas for a global audience, while his lived experience adds depth and authenticity. The book delves into guru-shishya dynamics, intense yogic practices, and the emotional turbulence of spiritual awakening. It's poetic, philosophical, and profoundly moving. Each of these books opens a unique portal into the lives of India's renunciates, be it the extreme path of the Aghori or the disciplined journey of the sadhu. Whether you're looking for visual journeys, real-life spiritual quests, or fictionalised introductions to mystical traditions, there is something here for every curious soul. The writer is an intern with
Indian Express
26-06-2025
- Indian Express
Couple held for torturing house-help's 2-year-old son to cure him of ‘evil possesion'
The Mumbai police on Thursday arrested a couple from Bhandup for allegedly inflicting burn injuries on the two-year-old son of a house-help working at their place, claiming it would 'exorcise' him. The accused couple told the maid that her son was possessed due to which he was 'hyperactive' and they could do black magic to cure him of it. The couple asked the woman to then stay with them and would give the toddler burns injuries and beat him. The mother fled with him from their residence on Wednesday and with relatives approached the Bhandup police where an FIR was registered on Wednesday. On Thursday the accused were arrested by the police. An officer said that nearly two weeks ago the woman had started working at the residence of the Kokare couple in Bhandup. Since her husband suffered from paralysis, she would get her son along with her to work. The kid was quite energetic and in the evening would run around the house. This irritated the couple. They told the woman that her son was possessed by an evil spirit because of which he was so hyperactive. They further claimed to knew Aghori practises by which they could cure him, the officer said. 'They further said that for her son to be cured, she will have to be patient and be willing to accept the treatment. They also told her that she will have to stay with them for a few days so that the child could be cured. The woman did as they said but within the next few days found that they were inflicting burn wounds on her son using a candle and also beating him,' an officer said. Eventually she sneaked out of the place on Wednesday with her son and contacted her relatives who took her to the Bhandup police station. Based on her statement an FIR was registered against Vaibhav and Vaibhavi Kokare under sections of the anti superstition and black magic act following which they were placed under arrest on Thursday. An officer said that the couple was produced before a local court and remanded to police custody for five days. 'We are interrogating them to find out if they are linked to any gang that is involved in such practices.'
Indian Express
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Mumbai Confidential: Tantra in Maharashtra politics
In Maharashtra's political corridors, whispers of occult rituals have been associated with a regional powerhouse. The speculation turned abuzz when several of its leaders recently visited the famed Kamakhya temple in Assam, a known seat of Tantric power. A new name has now entered this domain — a cabinet heavyweight from the Konkan belt, embroiled in a bitter tussle over the plum post of guardian minister. A video clip, said to be from last year but recently gone public, appears to show the minister in ritual regalia seated beside an Aghori sadhu clad in black, in what seems like a ritualistic invocation. Political opponents say it shows how tantra is thriving in the state's polity. Firebrand Concern Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, as part of his outreach to the Muslim community after the split in the NCP, had famously promised that he would not spare anyone who intimidated Muslims in the state. Pawar, however, seems to be struggling to rein in a young firebrand from his own stable. The three-time MLA from a prominent western Maharashtra city and the son-in-law of a sitting BJP legislator has been making speeches laced with communal rhetoric. His most recent demand was that Muslim employees at a well known temple trust be removed. With back-to-back electoral victories and an eye on further consolidation, the young leader is believed to be tapping into rising polarisation to shore up his personal clout. Power Games An NCP minister was livid when he realised that a newly appointed chief officer of a prime municipal council in his constituency had taken charge without the consent of state's Deputy Chief Minister and Urban Development Department Minister Eknath Shinde. The appointment was through an officer in Shinde's office without informing the former CM. The NCP minister complained to Shinde on the cabinet day after the appointment was cancelled. Now the officer who went ahead without informing Shinde and is holding double charge at present is under radar.
Indian Express
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Mumbai Confidential: Tantra in Politics
Tantra In Politics In Maharashtra's political corridors, whispers of occult rituals have been associated with a regional powerhouse. The speculation turned abuzz when several of its leaders recently visited the famed Kamakhya temple in Assam, a known seat of Tantric power. A new name has now entered this domain — a cabinet heavyweight from the Konkan belt, embroiled in a bitter tussle over the plum post of guardian minister. A video clip, said to be from last year but recently gone public, appears to show the minister in ritual regalia seated beside an Aghori sadhu clad in black, in what seems like a ritualistic invocation. Political opponents say it shows how tantra is thriving in the state's polity. Firebrand Concern Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, as part of his outreach to the Muslim community after the split in the NCP, had famously promised that he would not spare anyone who intimidated Muslims in the state. Pawar, however, seems to be struggling to rein in a young firebrand from his own stable. The three-time MLA from a prominent western Maharashtra city and the son-in-law of a sitting BJP legislator has been making speeches laced with communal rhetoric. His most recent demand was that Muslim employees at a well known temple trust be removed. With back-to-back electoral victories and an eye on further consolidation, the young leader is believed to be tapping into rising polarisation to shore up his personal clout. Power Games An NCP minister was livid when he realised that a newly appointed chief officer of a prime municipal council in his constituency had taken charge without the consent of state's Deputy Chief Minister and Urban Development Department Minister Eknath Shinde. The appointment was through an officer in Shinde's office without informing the former CM. The NCP minister complained to Shinde on the cabinet day after the appointment was cancelled. Now the officer who went ahead without informing Shinde and is holding double charge at present is under radar.
