It is hard to understand why someone would give up all their possessions and live in reclusion, especially today when everyone is obsessed with technology. New York-based photographer Joey L delves into the world of religious ascetics who devoted their lives to find spiritual liberation. Joey has taken vivid portraits of monks and spiritualists starting in Northern Ethiopia all the way to Varanasi, India. His portraits are mainly of Aghoris, who live on burial grounds in India and are known to engage in postmortem rituals such as smearing human ashes on their bodies and crafting skull bowls from actual corpses. “The Aghori have a profound connection with the dead. Death is not a fearsome concept, but a passing from the world of illusion,” says filmaker Cale Glendening who travelled with Joey L and captured behind-the-scenes moments that eventually turned into a fascinating documentary called "Beyond". You can watch it below below. |
Morning rituals in the Ganges River, the most sacred river in Hinduism. Varanasi, India |
Aghori sadhus smear themselves with human ash, which is the last rite of the material body. Varanasi, India |
Left: The Aghori worship the dead. Death is the next step after the illusion of life . Varanasi, India Right: Lal Baba ran away from home in Bihar Siwan to avoid a fixed marriage . Uncertain about his future, he r took up the lifelong task of becoming a sadhu. Varanasi, India
|
Lal Baba has grown his deadlocks for 40 years. Dreadlocks are a sign of spirituality and renunciation. |
Baba Mooni conducting an Aghori Prayer (Puja) in Varanasi, India |
Right: Magesh used to be an IT computer consultant. He left to devote himself to Aghora. He's been practicing for many years and does not miss his old life. Varanasi, India |
Ram Das standing next to a wrecked boat in Varanasi, India. |
Right: Baba Mooni conducting Aghori Puja in Varanasi, India |
Right: “Perhaps I will live even longer than 101, maybe 101 years more. I know a monk who is 80 years old, but he acts very old. He is not like me.” |
Baba Vijay Nund n the banks of the Ganges River |
Sunken temple in Varanasi, India |
Batuk Students, Varanasi, India |
Batuk Students, Varanasi, India |
”I came from my village, from the countryside to learn. I didn’t go home. I preferred to stay here. I’ve been here for 43 years.” Aba Yohannis monastery – 74 years old |
Baba Vijay Nund rows a boat along the Ganges River. Varanasi, India |
Cale Glendening's documentary, "Beyond": |
Look Twice: 16 Amazing Perfectly-Timed Street Photos
These street photos will mess with your head. Just a little...
15 Visual Masterpieces: Award-Winning Photos
Witness some of the most beautiful and meaningful award-winning photos from the All About Photo competition 2024.
15 Stunning Photos of the World's Largest Feline
15 photographs that prove once again the splendor and majesty of the Asian tiger.
Well, You Won't See THESE Every Day!
In this captivating collection of images, we delve into the extraordinary and the amusing.
10 Award-Winning Images That Capture the Spirit of Travel
Marvel at the incredible winners of The Independent Photographer‘s Travel Photo Awards.
Mesmerizing Winners of the 2024 Color Photography Contest
Check out the exceptional winners of the 1839 Color Photography Awards.
We Love These Woodworking Masterpieces! Don’t You?
This is craftsmanship at its finest.
You May Know These Photos, but Not Their History...
These photographs are so famous, there is no chance you don't know them. But do you the absolutely incredible stories that led to those moments?
You've Got to See This Award-Winning Aerial Photography!
Have a look at some of these incredible award-winning drone photos from Dronestagram's annual contest.
These Photos Prove Embracing Grey Hair Can Be Empowering!
Talented hair colorist Jack Martin empowers women with grey hair to embrace their gorgeous silver hair and it's beautiful!
These Old Photos Reveal a Good Deal About the 19th Century
Witness the history of the 19th Century as you never have before, with this powerful collection of early photographs.
14 Examples of Stunning Infrastructure That Inspire Awe
Enjoy this collection of pictures of incredible engineering marvels from the world over.
Some Ceilings Keep You Dry, Some Make You GASP
Some ceilings were meant to be admired...
20 Previously Unseen 20th-Century Celebrity Portraits
Enjoy this beautiful collection of unseen 20th-century celebrity portraits by the famous American photographer Philippe Halsman.
Hold it Right There! These Photos Couldn't BE More Timely!
It's a photographer's dream to capture that precious image right as or before something dramatic occurs. These are some of the best examples we've ever seen.
Nature Used All Possible Colors to Create These Animals
Nature is filled with beautiful animals, plants and insects, with magnificent colors and shapes. The dazzling colors of these animals can only be found in nature, see for yourself in the photos below.
Goldsmithing Expert Turns a Metal Blob into Pure Gold!
An amazing process of chemisty and gold-working turns this blob into pure 24 carat gold.
You Won't See These Rare Sights Twice in Your Lifetime!
Here are 20 rare and unbelievable sights that you certainly won't end up seeing twice in you lifetime!
The Great Wall of China as You’ve Never Seen It Before
High definition drone capture of the Great Wall of China
See Just How Much Women's Fashion Changed In 200 Years
Fashion changes all the time, but how much it does change is even more remarkable when viewed from the perspective of centuries. Take a look.
There is a Mystery Behind These Beautiful Vintage Photos
These vintage photos from 1950s Switzerland and Italy are beautiful and they have a mysterious story behind them
Drop Everything and Take a Look at These Incredible Photos
You've simply got to check out these 20 powerful photographs that really do say a thousand words each!
Captivating Photos Capturing Beauty in Everyday Moments
Looking at the impressive lighting and compositions of Myanmar Based photographer Zay Yar Lin, you wouldn't believe he is self taught.
Here Are 15 Rare Sights You Won't See More Than Once!
Here are 15 rare sights that you're practically guaranteed to never see more than once in your lifetime!
These Japanese Truck Gardens Are Absolutely Stunning!
Every year, landscapers from across Japan create amazing and whimsical gardens in their trucks to see who can claim to be the best mobile landscaper.
17 Beautiful Abandoned Structures Reclaimed by Nature
All these beautiful buildings have been abandoned for years and reclaimed by nature. The results are hauntingly beautiful!
21 Historical Pics That Open a Visceral Window to the Past
Old photographs have a special value to them - they allow us to take a glimpse into the past and experience what life was like long before we came into being.
15 Fascinating Photos That Bring 1930s China to Life
These rare photos unveil some hidden stories from 1930s China.
15 Gripping Images Reflecting the Duality of Life on Earth
A look at a collection of digital collages that show how some people from different regions have completely opposite lives from one another.
Awe-Inspiring: 15 Holy Places with an Ethereal Touch
Here are 15 incredible holy sites that will leave you spellbound.
These 18 Amazing City Squares Look Fit for the Gods
When I think of great cities, and wonder what makes them so beautiful, it seems so obvious: it is their amazing piazas, or squares. These are the 18 best!
20 Photos That Celebrate the Spectacular Colors of our World
The right color palette can turn a regular photo into a work of art. This post contains 20 photos that showcase colorful places around the world.
The Incredible Sights You Won't See Every Day...
20 unbelievable photos showing amazing scenes of history, science and nature, that will make you think.
INTERACTIVE: These Buildings Become Gorgeous at Night...
These structures aren't just beautifully designed - come nightfall, they take on a stunning transformation.
15 Unique Business Cards That Left a Lasting Impression
Now that's how you make a business card!
These Buildings Are Marvels of Human Creation!
Skyscrapers are the wonders of man-made construction technology and in the following article, you'll see 11 stunning buildings that will truly astonish you.
25 Pictures That Will Make You Take a Second Look
These quick photographers have managed to get some pretty nifty shots of some truly amazing and bizarre things in this world.
This Artist Wanted to See What's in Your Fridge...
This fascinating photography project reveals what's in the fridges of different people around the world and what can we can learn from them about their owners.
Native Americans: Striking Vintage Pics from a Century Ago
For over 30 years, Edward S. Curtis has documented the life of Native Americans. Here are some of his rare portraits
Lets Open a Window to the Past...
These 16 black and white 20th century photos show us some of the most interesting moments of the 20th century.
This Parisian Apartment Has Been Untouched for 70 Years!
I can hardly believe this time-capsule of an apartment, that was locked away and forgotten about for 70 years. It's like nothing has changed in a century!
This is How the World's Very First Subway Was Built!
Ever wondered how the world's very first subway system was built? This TED-Ed video reveals all!
15 RARE Historical Photos of World Leaders in Their Youth
Have you seen these extremely rare historical photos before?
22 Celebrities Who Make Getting Older Look So Cool
These celebrities are ageless!
History Doesn't Forget: Rare Historic Photos!
Here, the past is still alive and kicking, and for a few moments, we are back in those momentous time and events that shook the world not that long ago...
Incredible! A Glimpse Into What Ancient Rome Looked Like
This video depicts a 3D rendering of what Rome looked like in 320AD.
20 Amazing Animal Photos that'll Leave You Breathless
If you love photography and animals, then this will make your day. Here are 2015's 20 best pieces of animal photography!