The Ascetics of Shiva

Shaivites, the followers of Shiva, the "divinely intoxicated madmen" represent the ideal image of Sadhu as created thousands of years ago. They are dealt by great reverence, mimic the most extreme features of the god, wander the Himalayas or the cremation sites, they occasionally participate in abominable rituals and smoke "chillum", Shiva's nectar, in abundance.

Hinduism has a vast diversity of religious beliefs. Nowhere else in the world has there ever been a religious system with so many sacrifices and rituals.  It was also the first religion to adopt the use of cannabis in its practices.  The Hindu triad of most significant divinities, Trimurti, composed by Brahma the creator, Vishnu the maintainer and Shiva the destructor. Shaivism which is considered the master of yogi, is the most ancient worship on earth, Shiva to Hindus is the equivalent of Adam. The Mahashivaratri, the great day of Shiva is celebrated in the new moon period after winter (between February and March). It is one of the most significant religious festival of Hindus.  

Million of pilgrims crowd every year the various shrines devoted to the divinity

The Mahashivaratri is linked to the consumption of the holy drink Bhang by the faithful and the smoking of marijuana in the form of chillum. Bhang is made of the flowers and leaves of cannabis, holy water from the river Gages, nuts, milk and sugar.   It is namely a type of milkshake.  The faithful consume it in the belief that it helps them focus in the worship of the divinity.

 Marijuana is prominent in Hinduism

There is a long and varying history for its use in religious rituals, dated from 1500 b.C.  Some holy scripts describe the use of Soma, an intoxicating drink believed to be marijuana, namely it is so profoundly embedded in their culture that it is impossible to ignore its use, it is considered as a plant of exquisite religious importance. In cannabis they recognize an invigorating action as well as wider therapeutic qualities, believing that it enhances wisdom and the understanding ability of man. The faithful bearded ascetics smoke marijuana to achieve spiritual connection to Shiva.  Among holy men, cannabis is traditionally used to subdue animal instincts, reduce the libido, aid focusing or clarity of thought. They approach cannabis with respect, carefully cut with their bony hands the flower in a small cutting wood, place the contents in a cone tube made of clay (chillum). They smoke in a ritualistic manner, devoutly raise the chillum to their forehead, invoke god aloud chanting the holy mandras "Boom Shiva", "Aum Shiva Shankara Hari Hari Ganga" "Aum Namah Shivaya" suck in with all the power of their lungs, disappear in ecstasy behind a cloud of aromatic smoke and receive Sadhana spiritual guidance.  This is considered a prassad - offering - to Shiva.

 The Mahashivaratri is not popular only among ascetics

Young people and teenagers are also fascinated by this celebrations and the use of bhang and marijuana, namely the smoking of chillum is now the usual practice among young people and sadhus.  Naturally, cannabis is illegal in India and Nepal, but during the Mahashivaratri mortals are allowed to freely and abundantly smoke marijuana. Ascetics provide cannabis that they have cultivated themselves with care and prayers as an "offering" (prassad) to pilgrims...