How did the connection start between Shiva and marijuana? Apparently Shiva liked it? That's about all I know. Are the Shiva followers with dreads that smoke weed what inspired the Rastafarians?

Ganja? i have no idea how that is related to Shiva.

Ganja is Illegal in India not sure how Sadhus get hold on them but sadhus who worship shiva are called Shaiva sadhus & Vishnu/Krishna worshippers are called Vaishnava sadhus they lead a ascetic life.

It's illegal in Nepal also, but this fact seems to be ignored when they perform rituals that involve marijuana related to Shiva.

I just am not sure how it's related to Shiva specifically though. Nothign that I can find gives a real story on it.

I dint know about it untill today Sadhus seem to have their own thing going on some info i found online.

Shiva

"Athavaveda - the fourth book of the Vedas that has been translated into English and titled ‘The Science of Charms’ - says that ‘bhang’ is one of the ‘five kingdoms of herbs, which relieves anxiety’. Notably, this Western logic or perception does not entirely tally with the South Asian astuteness which is not restricted by Newtonian judgment. According to a Hindu myth or allegory, long before the creation of the universe the Gods had churned a cosmic mountain with a view to obtain nectar for an eternal life. It is said that marijuana plants germinated at all places where the nectar dropped on or touched the earth.

If one takes a close look at the conventional Indian medicine, he or she will find that numerous preparations of cannabis have been used to cure dissimilar disorders such as fever, dysentery, sunstroke as well as leprosy. According to traditional Indian medicine, cannabis is effectively used to absolve phlegm (thick mucus secreted by the walls of the respiratory tract, especially during a cold), speed up the digestion process, hone up the intellect, enhance the body’s preparedness as well as function as elixir vitae (a vital magic potion or a quick cure). Unlike the Western medical science, the Hindu medical practice also deals with the spiritual consciousness of a person while healing his ailments. According to the Hindu mythology, whenever any devotee offers ‘ganja’ to Lord Shiva, the ‘king of Gods’, it pleases Him. Interestingly, this relation between Lord Shiva and ‘ganja’ is believed to be precious while upholding an individual’s physical health and emotional or psychological balance. A Hindu text titled ‘Rajvallabha’ written in the 17th century states that this wish-gratifying drug was believed to have been acquired by men on earth for the welfare of all people. It further says that those who use it regularly are full of joy and without any distress."

http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_marijuana.htm

Ganja grows in India.

Ganja infact orginates in India and the middle east and areas of China. Its been used and for making clothing (hemp) and for medicines for centuries.

These types of sadhus smoke ganja all the time with thier chillums.
Ganja and the liquid metal mercury are known as the "semen of shiva".

You can collected hash by running your bare arms across a some marijuana growth and scrape of the resin afterwards. Thats how the sadhus do it. Its use by sadhus is tollerated.

Hindu holy men, devotees, and tourists by the hundreds, if not thousands, smoked marijuana this weekend outside a temple in Nepal to honor Shiva the Destroyer, the Hindu god of change and goodness. The annual festival at the Pashupatinath temple on the outskirts of Katmandu is expected to draw 150,000 people, the Associated Press reported.

Holy men (or yogis) smeared in ash and wearing loin cloths shared marijuana, or charas, with worshippers, locals, and tourists as they chanted praises to Shiva. In Hindu tradition, the gods sent the hemp plant to man to help him attain delight, courage, and sexual powers. The plant is consecrated to Shiva and is known, among other names, as "vijaya" (victory) after the gods were able to wrest it away from demons. It is still widely esteemed in India and the subcontinent for its ability to endow users with mystic, supernatural powers.

While the use and possession of marijuana is illegal in Nepal, authorities do not interfere with pot- smoking at the annual festival. They also have not managed to do away with the world famous Nepalese hash.

www

they smoked bhang (a mixture of hashish, chai, and ghee or something), which is simillar to weed but not exactly like weed. yeah. the shiv sadhus do drink that even up in himalchal pradesh.

If you guys have ever been to the back of Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, you will find numerous people smoking and selling ganja.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_BivF96QVg

OMG... what the hell is that? thats kickass!

lolz! im finna watch it. it looks crazy!

ahahaha..... crazy eh.... it's a Tamil movie about how human soul united with God soul while they're still alive. the title is naan kadavul (aham brahmasmi) means I am God. you can find it in youtube just type the keyword, naan kadavul and also get some rough idea about movie plot in the wikipedia. it is a Hindu philosophy and the movie is about left-wing follower of Hinduism of Saiva school. Vamacara (left-wing school) was also popular in Java Island and Sumatera Island back in ancient time, I think Javanese have their Tantra formula in a scripture called Sang Hyang Kamahayanikan.

I wanna visit all of those holy sites.

did u upload the complete movie?

urmm, i didn't upload the movies. there are some people who uploaded it for the benefit of other tamilians who can't reach their community like those in Europe or in the US. i can't find it in my country either although we have a significant number of tamilian citizen because i will have to find tamil dvd shop.

this one is with english sub... i had a hard time watching tamil movies without subs becoz i could only understand the sanskrit chants which i'm familiar with and also some hindi dialogue the aghora in the movie mumbles about, lol... this one may not be so complete, but at least it's better than nothing : )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ns7cthDyNM