The Standing Babas of the novel Shantaram
Reader's comments

The Standing Babas of the novel Shantaram - Reader's comments

Reader's comments regarding the standing babas Since we posted our article The Standing Babas about these Indian ascetics described in Gregory David Roberts's novel Shantaram, we have received a number of comments from visitors who have seen the standing babas in person or know about them more than we do. Below are some of these comments and contributions about the standing babas. Since you guys are very much interested in standing babas that was written in the novel, i would like to give you some information. i am from southern part of india. in india we have ancient epics like mahabharata and ramayana, which we believe to be true but there exist no proof of such things happened. the standing babas are important characters in these epics. these epics portray that these characters stand for so long meditating without food, water and movement for so long (say 300, 400 years) for getting powers or strength or any special talent from the almighty. we call this as thavam in india. the thing is like this they will be thinking or meditating only about the god and when the god is satisfied or touched by the babas commitment they grant him with super powers. there is a belief that still these babas are performing thavam in himalayas. want any more info message me. Submitted by Ravi

Hi, this photos i am sending you is Baba Khadkhadiya. He is a 35 year old Standing baba. When he was 16 years old he got his mother's blessing and went to learn about Tapa or self mortification practice. He has been standing for three years now, and wants to do it at least for four more years. I met this young man with intense look at Varanasi, on monday February 27 2006. Next day February 28th, I came back to the place he was standing and he spoke to me and told me his story. He showed me photos of him as a child with his mother, and agreed that I shot his portrait. I am including two of them, all rights belong to me. Thank you. Viveca Venegas www.imagesofmysoulheart.com Baba Khadkhadiya (photo by Viveca Venegas) Baba Khadkhadiya (photo by Viveca Venegas) If you know something substantial about the Standing Babas, please let us know and we will put it up here. You may submit an entire article and we will post it here. Shantaram - the novel The Standing Babas Shantaram - the website Shantaram (2007) Shantaram : A Novel Book Reviews - Shantaram The Da Vinci Code - the novel Books on Chinese Calligraphy: The Upright Brush