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Take
care, the holy men are on drugs in Gaya
by Surya Pratap Singh
Gaya: Thousands of pilgrims flock to Gaya every year during the ongoing Pitrupaksh fair marked to perform the last rites for the salvation of their dead family members. But on arriving here with a solemn mood, all they watch is a large number of drug addicts pretending to be holy men. Most of the roadside "Sadhus" can be easily found taking hash. This trend is today a common feature here despite the fact that there is a provision for harsh punishment. These so-called holy men openly consume banned hash or grass and other intoxicating substances. Evading any check by the authorities, many of them preach and perform rituals or keep sitting idle only the sideways. People visiting Gaya from far off places from all corners of the country usually look upon these drug addicts pretending to be holy men.
Every
year during September and October, thousands of devotees visit Gaya to
perform rituals on the banks of River Falgu. Besides, a Pitrupaksh fair
is held on the occasion when the visitors perform the rituals for the
peace of the departed souls. "I turned a Sadhu for a social cause and
spent the time singing devotional songs. We are away from worldly affairs.
We sing in the praise of Gods' glory and enjoy cannabis and hash as Lord
Shiva's favourite item," said Sadhu Sajjan Giri. Ideally, the Sadhus live
all alone, relinquishing family life. They are supposed to have renounced
all worldly pleasures of the materialist world. They spend their time
worshipping God and depend on temples or devotees' for food. "I have been
to south India as far as Kanyakumari, Tibet border and now next year I
wish to visit Mansarovar. I don't miss my family. I left them 20 years
ago and now I am enjoying my life to the fullest," admitted Sadhu Ajay
Giri.
-Sept
14, 2006
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