JOIN USIndeed, devotees at the “Kalki Yagna Mahotsav”, a famous religious festival organised after Deepawali in Uttar Pradesh’s Bhimnagar district (400 km from Lucknow), were seen leaving the gathering in disgust even as the younger lot were thoroughly entertained by item girls like Shefali Zariwala, who danced for songs like “Sheila ki jawani” and “Munni badnam hui.” The mainly elderly and women devotees were also shocked to see the saints and sadhus not raising their voices against the programme.
Sadhus, in fact, were seen dancing with the item girls, apparently under the influence of ganja', which is particularly popular amongst Naga Sadhus.
“It happened for the first time at the mahotsava...the traditions were shattered,” eyewitnesses said, expressing surprise and shock over the meek acceptance of the violation by the godmen.
“Kalki Mahotsava” has been a hugely popular event in the region. It has been graced in the past by several personalities. Last year, Union minister Farooq Abdullah had sung a "bhajan" before the gathering, a gesture that won wider appreciation.