These Tattoos are the name of the Hindu god Ram, and many other older residents of the village and the neighbouring ones have similar markings. They are followers of Ramnami Samaj, a religious movement founded in the 1890s by a Dalit Ram devotee called Parshu Ram Bhardwaj, who was denied entry to a temple in one of these villages in Chhattisgarh. "Who needs a temple when we have the name of god written on us?" says Sonwani. "God is everywhere and not just in temples. . . Exploring with: @brassturtle . . #cfor36garh #RamnamiSamaj #India #sacredmarks #indigenoustattooing #sacred #Tattoos #Hindu #ramnami #ramnamis #nadeli #sarangarh #jaijaipur #janjgirchampa #bilaspur #ram #tattoo #schedulecaste #people #portrait #photography #chhatishgarh https://www.instagram.com/p/CKgrRhCrayt/?igshid=ayaebhso38cc
