Aghori

In one context this term refers to one of
the two loosely organized groups of the
Jogi ascetics, the other being the
Nathpanthis. There are three major
groups of ascetics devoted to the god
Shiva; they are the Aghoris, Nathpanthis,
and Dashanami Sanyasis. The difference
between these is that the Dashanamis are
said to have been founded by the
philosopher Shankaracharya, while the
Aghoris and Nathpanthis are believed to
be descended from earlier Shaiva ascetic
orders, particularly the Kapalikas,
Kalamukhas, and Pashupatas. The term
aghori also refers to ascetics whose
reputed practices make them both
respected and feared by the general population. The Aghoris draw their name
from one of the names of the god Shiva,
Aghora, which despite its literal meaning
(“not terrifying”), designates one of the
most frightful and powerful forms of
Shiva. As devotees (bhakta) of this form
of Shiva, the Aghoris are famous for their
disregard of all social conventions and
boundaries. They often eat from a vessel
made of a human skull and are popularly
reputed to eat anything, including dung
and human flesh. Such behavior generates fascination and sometimes respect
among the larger Hindu populace, but
also considerable fear; Aghoris are so far
outside the normal social boundaries
that most people would rather avoid
interaction with them.