Ascetics Collection

Yogi and Peacock
A yogi who keeps a tame peacock

Turkey. Whirling Derviches. Mevlevi Order
Ottoman Empire. Turkey. Whirling Derviches. Mevlevi Order. The whirling dervishes were founded by Jelaluddin Rumi (1207-1273). Engraving by Lemaitre, Vernier and Monnin

Monks meditate and die
Shahabad, India : six ascetics are meditating in the temple when a lamp sets light to a mat. Forbidden to move while meditating, they burn to a holy death. Date: 1939

Ascetics monks burn to death in temple
Six ascetics of a Hindu sect are meditating in temple near Shahabad when a lamp falls & sets their mat alight; forbidden to move, they let themselves be roasted... Date: 1939

Fakir on Bed of Nails
An ascetic lies on his bed of nails, knowing that if he distributes his weight evenly, its not that bad

Fakir Invokes Rain
A fakir of Northern India invokes his gods to bring rain Date: 1891

On a Bed of Nails
A passer-by gives a donation to a fakir who lies on a bed of nails Date: 19th century ?

Hindu Fakir
A Hindu fakir Date: 1884

Fakir with Hooks in Back
Placing hooks in the back of a fakir : not only is the process painful, but the wounds will fester and lead to further pain, apart from the discomfort Date: circa 1900

India Saddhu
An Indian saddhu (ascetic) Date: 1914

Fakirs in India
Fakirs (Muslim Sufi ascetics) in India, some with whitened faces. Date: circa 1890s

Indian Penitents
What may look like headstands is really a position of penitence. These Indian girls are copying the position of the holy ascetics (Saddhus), who sit like this for hours. Date: 1930s

Yogi Self-Mutilators
Indians who mutilate themselves by slashing their bodies

Two Seated Ascetics
One ascetic holds his arms above his head till they atrophy, another sits and meditates

Two Indian Fakirs, 1730
Two fakirs : the one standing is holding his arms above his head till they waste away, and so is his sleeping companion (which means they never use their hands for anything)

Fakir hanging over a fire, India
A fakir in India hangs over a fire for three hours without manifesting any signs of pain

Indian Ascetic Begs
An ascetic, with chains on his neck and wrists, holds out his begging-bowl

Indian Fakirs
Two fakirs stand or lie in uncomfortable positions, to the greater glory of their gods

Yogi Penitents
A group of Yogi penitents

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