History
India could be thought of as the catalytic cultural source for modern naturism. Alexander the Great it is believed encountered a group of Naga Sadhus who he described an naked philosophers or gymnosophists 1 GYMNOSOPHISTS. The naked and ascetic Indian sages who silenced Alexander the Great. in India during his military campaign there. 2 How Some Naked Monks of India Fascinated Alexander the Great
Nudity in India is rooted in a religious cultural nudity. The sadhus practiced a type of ascetic nudism related to religious practice. It is believed that Alexander’s conversations with one particular sadhu Dandamis inspired him to incorporate the concept of social nudity into Greek culture. 3 Alexander the Great vs the Morose Monks in India The practice found its way into the early Olympic Games, where Greek athletes competed without clothing. The term gymnosophy was later used by modern European naturists to describe the practice at the turn of the 20th century.
Colonial Times
Despite those auspicious naturist beginnings, naturism and social nudity was not and is not universally accepted in India. During the colonial period, the practice was discouraged by the British colonizers. However, certain religious groups groups like the Naga Sadhus and the Digambara, Hindu and Jain religions respectively maintained the practice of social nudity as part of their religious observances (ascetic nudism).As in many other countries colonialism brought restrictions on public nudity to India. However during the colonial period, records show that the first organized naturist organization was formed by a British expatriate in Thane India. The Fellowship of the Naked Trust was a small loosely organized club, with three members and only lasted for brief time.
Naga sadhus also practice naga or naked yoga which is another gift from India to the naturist community and world.
Naturism in Modern India
Modern day India is no bastion of naturism, but according to some reports and observation online, a thriving community 4 Inside India’s Thriving Nudist Community has developed though often in secret. 5 5 Places In India Where Secret Nudist Parties Are Apparently Thrown ? Because of social taboos and legal concerns about legal issues Indian Naturists are limited in their options to practice naturism outdoors. 6 Inside India’s Thriving Nudist Community
Nudity taboo
One of the vestiges of colonialism is a nudity taboo in India. Public nudity is illegal in India under the obscenity section of Indian law (Section 294 of the Indian Penal Code) 7 INDIANS AND NATURISM. People do get prosecuted for public nudity based on the law and are usually fined, but some are jailed.
Secret Indian naturists
Reports suggest the nudism, naturism and clothes free living is growing among Indians despite the taboo. 8India’s growing tribe of nudists who like to bare it all in public They meet in secret groups, using WhatsApp and Telegram to organize secret non sexual social nudity gatherings. They spend time at home clothes free and pan and take naked vacations. Some students of history and ancient Indian sculpture suggest that modern Indian naturists are simply returning to their ancient indigenous pre-colonial roots. 9 Skimpy dressing was common in ancient India Other claim the current disposition against nudity in India has its roots in racist Victorian colonial values. 10Offended By Jain Monk’s Nudity? High Time You Broke Free Of Victorian Moral Values
Also see
References
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