The Sanyasis are devotees of the god Shiva, and much of their dress, behavior and style of life is supposedly modeled on that of Shiva himself. Thus many sanyasis, wear their hair in matted locks, consume hash and other drugs, and attempt to live detached from all things. As with all ascetics, there is considerable variation in individual ascetic practice. Here we see a group of three Sanyasis who were out for a stroll together.
Some ascetics still give up all clothing, as a sign of renouncing everything, including shame.
During the summer pilgrimage season many ascetics set up huts alongside the path, and gain their livelihood by begging from the pilgrims passing by. Ganja grows wild all through the Himalayas, and thus the sadhus can manufacture enough hashish for their own needs. The markings on his forehead and on his temples at the corners of his eyes identify him as belonging to one of the Sanyasi Naga Akharas, which in earlier times were groups of ascetics who made their living as traders and mercenary soldiers. Here is a picture of another sadhu, taken on my way back down the mountain from the Kedarnath temple. This ascetic is wearing the matted locks characteristic of the god Shiva's devotees, in emulation of their patron deity himself.