Ascetic priest Baba Vijay Nund rows a boat along the Ganges River.

Vijay Nund performing morning rituals in the Ganges River, the most sacred river in Hinduism.

Aghori sadhus cover themselves with human ash, which is the last rite of the material body.

The Aghori have a profound connection with the dead. Death is not a fearsome concept, but a passing from the world of illusion.

When he was young, Lal Baba’s parents arranged a marriage for him. Uncertain about his future, he ran away from home in Bihar Siwan and took up the lifelong task of becoming a sadhu.

Lal Baba has dreadlocks (jatas) several meters long, which have been growing for over 40 years. To sadhus, dreadlocks are a sign of renunciation and a life dedicated to spirituality.

Lal Baba’s life is to travel. Even at 85 years old, he will continue to travel from holy place to holy place in India and Nepal.

Ram Das beside boat wreckage.

Magesh left a well paid job as an IT computer consultant to pursue to path of Aghora. After years of practice, he finds no temptation to return to his old life.

Magesh left a well paid job as an IT computer consultant to pursue to path of Aghora. After years of practice, he finds no temptation to return to his old life.

Aghori sadhus inside a sunken Shiva temple at Scindia Ghat, on the banks of the River Ganges.

Batuk Students.

Batuk Student.

Baba Mooni conducting Aghori Puja.

Baba Mooni conducting Aghori Puja.

Baba Vijay Nund on the steps of Chet Singh Ghat on the banks of the Ganges River.

Baba Vijay Nund outside his ashram on the banks of the Ganges River.

Baba Mooni conducting Aghori Puja.