Exhibition: “Bhasmang- The way of the Naga Sadhus”

A photography exhibition titled “Bhasmang: The Way of The Naga Sadhus”, featuring images of Naga Sadhus captured at the Kumbh Melas of 2019 and 2025, will be held at Travancore Palace, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi. The exhibition, presented by photographer Bandeep Singh, opens on February 24, 2025, and will be open for public viewing from February 25 to March 2.

The Kumbh Mela, held every twelve years, brings together millions of pilgrims at the Sangam in Prayagraj. Among the attendees, the Naga Sadhus stand out as a significant yet enigmatic presence, known for their renunciation of worldly ties and distinctive appearance, including bodies covered in ash.

Despite being widely photographed, the Naga Sadhus remain reclusive, often limiting their interactions with outsiders. The exhibition aims to provide a deeper perspective beyond the usual images of ritualistic baths and processions. Singh’s work, captured over multiple years, offers a rare view inside the Akharas—monastic spaces where the sadhus live and practice their spiritual disciplines.

Speaking about his engagement with the Naga Sadhus, Bandeep Singh said, “I was drawn to the deeply magnetic presence of Naga Sadhus—their ash-covered bodies, their unkempt yet effortless detachment from societal norms, and their complete disregard for conventions of politeness or the trappings of being civil. At their core, they exude a profound simplicity, an unfiltered joy. Nudity, for them, is not exhibitionism or an act of rebellion, but a natural state—the nakedness is worn as a garment.”

Also Read: Beyond Borders: An art and culture festival

Singh gained rare access to the Juna Akhara in 2019, allowing him to document the lives of the Naga Sadhus from within. Reflecting on this experience, he said, “Going inside the tent is like a fence you otherwise cannot cross—it is like crossing a borderline. It was a chance to witness their reclusive lives up close—something I had only imagined before. I jumped at the opportunity, knowing it would change everything. And it did.”

The photographs, taken within these private spaces, explore the Naga Sadhus’ way of life, expressions, and rituals through carefully constructed lighting and composition. The exhibition also reflects on the dynamic between the observer and the subject, raising questions about representation, faith, and detachment.

The exhibition will provide visitors with an opportunity to view Singh’s photographic documentation of the Naga Sadhus and their spiritual practices, offering a perspective beyond common portrayals.

When: February 25 to March 2

Where: Travancore Palace, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi