Sadhu Claus

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I know this picture is a few days late but I could only get to it now. The question is will Hindu Nationalists see this as an assault against Hinduism or only an assault against fashion? Santa Claus comes to deliver gifts. Sadhu Claus comes asking for them.

If he came down my chimney I’d freak. Be honest. You would too.

19 thoughts on “Sadhu Claus”

  1. The pertinent question would have been – “would the professional secularists see this photograph as an acceptance of Hindu nationalism in the cultural and moral ethos of India?” This post is clearly meant for flaming. Let the games begin!

    Regards,

  2. Man, that’s a great photo. Surely Santa is just a minor Hindu avatar anyway. I tried to convince one of my New York Hindu friends, whose daughter wanted a Christmas tree, to buy one and decorate it with Hindu icons. How cool would that be? Swastik at the top, jasmine garlands winding around, little Ganesha ornaments, Krishna’s flute, pats of butter (wax), the Sanskirt OM characters, some little bells . . .

  4. I always grew up believing in Sadhu Claus and the Doodh Pheri. As a kid, I was beaten up on the playground because my mom, nose-ring and all, kept insisting on these beliefs, even as my dad hauled spruces and firs. But no solace for the soulless at solstice. All my mom wanted was a big peepal tree right in the middle of the living room and what did that get us but a broken home (literally!) and lawsuits. And even the National Enquirer wouldn’t even print my story at first. They only became interested when I told them it had aliens (legal, don’t hate) in it. Aliens with strange hair-dos and smells of masala, who ate with their hands (chee!) and worshipped gods with many arms.

  5. Man, that’s a great photo. Surely Santa is just a minor Hindu avatar anyway. I tried to convince one of my New York Hindu friends, whose daughter wanted a Christmas tree, to buy one and decorate it with Hindu icons. How cool would that be? Swastik at the top, jasmine garlands winding around, little Ganesha ornaments, Krishna’s flute, pats of butter (wax), the Sanskirt OM characters, some little bells

    There’s always the Om tree…

  6. If he came down my chimney, I’d freak. Be honest. You would too.

    Psssst…Don’t tell anyone, Abhi…but my apartment does not have a chimney at all!

  7. I always grew up believing in Sadhu Claus and the Doodh Pheri. As a kid, I was beaten up on the playground because my mom, nose-ring and all, kept insisting on these beliefs, even as my dad hauled spruces and firs. But no solace for the soulless at solstice. All my mom wanted was a big peepal tree right in the middle of the living room and what did that get us but a broken home (literally!) and lawsuits. And even the National Enquirer wouldn’t even print my story at first. They only became interested when I told them it had aliens (legal, don’t hate) in it. Aliens with strange hair-dos and smells of masala, who ate with their hands (chee!) and worshipped gods with many arms.

    Wish there was a link I could travel to attached to your name! 🙂

  9. Wish there was a link I could travel to attached to your name! 🙂

    Thanks, JoaT. Unfortunately, my life as a grad student does not allow me to sustain a meaningful presence on the web. I have to satisfy myself with sporadic snark.

  10. Hindu Nationalists see this as an assault against Hinduism or only an assault against fashion? Santa Claus comes to deliver gifts. Sadhu Claus comes asking for them.

    Hindu Nationalists consists of the very sadhu(s) who is in the picture. And the very look of it,he seems to be enjoying the presence of Santa Claus…hairy and covered in RED ‘furr’ coat in the tropical climate…only missing element – bellowing “ox” aiming its horn at Santa’s ass.

    By the way….a very crass post. Seems like the “buddha” effect has caused some derangement

  11. Seems like the “buddha” effect has caused some derangement

    Thank you but no, the “derangement” was always there and will continue to be.

  12. By the way….a very crass post. Seems like the “buddha” effect has caused some derangement
    Thank you but no, the “derangement” was always there and will continue to be.

    Dude, crass is class.

  15. Hey, How about some credit to the ‘anonymous tipster’ for the story at sepia news? Also look at the sand sculpture of Santa there.

  16. Santa’s favorite Elf? Santa’s supplier? Kids ask Santa, Santa asks Mr. Blood Soaked Hands? Santa says to Sadhu, “Dude, you have way too many rudrakshas. Mary in Peoria wants one.”

    BTW, the Sadhu seems to have reasonably fair skin – look at the bangled forearm. Western hippie turned Sadhu?

  18. Oh, those Hindu nationalists. Always ruining Christmas for everyone. If they could only be more like them Hanukkah adoring Moullahs and them Diwali loving baptists, the world would never have war.

    And fair skinned Indians don’t exsist. We’re all Tamil.

  19. The blogger’s concern is well-placed. After all Hindu nationalists have gone berserk and broken up harmless Valentine’s Day celebrations. Unbenownst to them, Hindu nationalists’ have begun to sound and look like such antagonists as the communists ( unequivocal opposition to globalization ) and the Taliban ( thrashing youth displaying affection in public ).