Exclusive Photo Feature: Politics, Power And Religion As Mantras For Sadhus In Madhya Pradesh

NARSINGHPUR, INDIA - JUNE 8: Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati, the Shankracharya of Dwarka Sharda Peeth at his ashram on June 8, 2018 in Narsinghpur, India. A true sage doesn't need to be photographed with ministers, doesn't go out looking for support, the Head of the Dwarka Sharda Peeth said. But enter towns like Ujjain, Jabalpur and Bhopal and they seem dotted with ashrams and compounds of religious leaders who count the states power elite among disciples and followers. It's not unusual for the lines to blur between church and state in Madhya Pradesh. The religious leaders continued to win positions in government. When they weren't standing for office, they were helping bring in the crowds, offering advice and performing yagnas for politicians looking for an election win, a good monsoon or the fall of a foe. (Photo by Raj K Raj/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)