Inspired by travels to the Pashupatinath Temple in Nepal in 2015
 
Aadāv Sadhu is inspired by the Hindu Sādhus (holy men) of the sacred Pashupatinath (pronounced Pashu-pati-nath) Temple in the Kathmandu Valley. This temple is dedicated to Pashupati, an incarnation of the Hindu god Shiva as “lord of the animals.” The Sādhus give up worldly pleasures, often living in voluntary isolation, dedicating their lives in devotion. Their skin is covered in ash from burnt bodies from the Ganges. This is believed to protect both their ‘inside and outside bodies’ from the elements as well as to ward offevil spirits. The Sādhus purpose is in consoling those in distress, to share and teach religious tenets and assisting the poor, although they are often totally reliant on others for money.
Aadāv is a reflection of the peace and of intense colour burned in my memory from the Pashupatinath Temple.
 
Acrylic on Panel
95x95cm
4cm depth
 
This painting will be on exhibition at The Cardrona Distillery until early October