India: A Hindu sannyasi resting on a bed of nails, Varanasi, 1907

Herbert Ponting's 1907 photograph is captioned 'a fakir in Benares' (Varanasi), India. However, it is far more likely this depicts a Hindu sannyasin since Varanasi is the holiest city in Hinduism where large numbers of ascetics gather.

Copyright:

Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

Herbert Ponting (PD)

Credit:

Pictures From History

Theme:

SADHU HOLY MEN