The Ramnami Samaj, a unique Hindu sect from Chhattisgarh, is drawing attention online for its extraordinary tradition of tattooing the name "Ram" (राम) across their bodies....
The movement was founded by Sant Parasuram in the 1890s after members of marginalized communities were reportedly denied entry to temples because of caste discrimination. As an act of peaceful resistance, devotees chose to inscribe the deity's name on their own bodies, declaring that if they could not enter temples, they would become temples themselves.
Members with full-body tattoos are known as Purnanakshik, with some bearing the word "Ram" on their faces, chests, arms and even eyelids. The Ramnami Samaj also wears shawls printed with "Ram" and peacock-feather headgear, gathering annually in Chhattisgarh for devotional singing and worship. While the tradition continues, fewer younger followers now opt for full body tattoos due to concerns over social discrimination and employment opportunities...
