Nepal’s Supreme Court has ruled that the nudity of Naga Sadhu monks is not obscene, allowing them to visit Kathmandu’s Pashupatinath Temple and other Hindu shrines, according to the Kathmandu Post. Lawyer Yagya Mani Neoplan sought the ban, arguing that these ascetics, who walk naked and use their genitals for tricks, should be prohibited from temples. The Supreme Court determined that within religious tradition, the nudity of these monks is not considered obscene. The judges dismissed the argument that supporting Naga Sadhu with resources is wasteful, emphasizing that actions shouldn’t always be viewed economically. Nudity, typically the exposure of the body, is not automatically indecent unless it provokes sexual desire or societal offense. Naga Sadhus are ascetic saints seeking spiritual enlightenment, often unclothed, from Shaiva and Vaishnava sects, known for their ash-smeared bodies and matted hair. They organize in akharas and historically protect temples.
Illustrative Photo by Mehmet Turgut Kirkgoz: https://www.pexels.com/photo/men-sitting-near-wall-as-sculptures-11466244/
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