title: Use of the human calvaria and skull as alms bowls and drinking vessels by Aghori ascetics in present-day India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this article is to discuss the use of the human calvaria and skull as alms bowls and drinking vessels by a sect of Hindu ascetics in present-day India known as the Aghoris. The authors attempt to explain the rationale behind the Aghoris' use of the human calvaria and skull in this manner.
  
  
  METHODS
  A review of the literature using standard search engines was conducted to obtain information about the history and philosophy of the Aghori ascetics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Multiple academic references confirm the persistence of the practice of using the human calvaria and skull as alms bowls and drinking vessels among Aghori ascetics in present-day India. This practice is inspired by the Aghoris' monistic philosophy, a principle of which is that observance of social convention deters the individual soul in its journey towards liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Certain anatomical features of the human body have had religious significance in the past. Multiple academic references concerning the Aghoris argue that religious significance continues to be ascribed to certain components of human anatomy. In the case of the Aghoris, these components are the calvaria and skull.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital, Birmingham, AL, USA.
authors.forename: Anand N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Bosmia
authors.forename: Christoph J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Griessenauer
authors.forename: R Shane
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Tubbs
mesh_terms: D000884:Anthropology, Cultural; D001628:Beverages; D018596:Hinduism; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D012886:Skull