Naga Sadhus at the Maha Kumbh
Credit: PTI Photo
Lucknow: With the completion of the third Amrit Snan on the occasion of Basant Panchami on Monday, the Naga sadhus belonging to various Akharas, who have been camping on the bank of the Ganga for the past 22 days, have started packing their bags. They will leave the Maha Kumbh only to meet at the ‘Ardha Kumbh’ in Haridwar after two years.
The naga sadhus were seen uprooting their ‘chimtas’ (tongs) which they had dug into the ground upon their arrival at the Mahakumbh and packing their tridents and swords in boxes. The flags of the akharas, however, would be removed only after the last ‘snan’ (dip) an the sangam on Mahashivratri on February 26, the day the biggest religious event in the world concludes.
The sadhus would leave the Mahakumbh after having the traditional lunch of ‘kadhi-pakaudi’ (a kind of food prepared on special occasions) at their respective akharas. The first one to depart from the Mahakumbh will be the seers from the Shaiv Akhara followed by the sadhus of the Ani and Udaseen akharas.
As per the traditions, the naga sadhus, who were baptised in the Mahakumbh, would go to ‘Kashi’ (the old name of Varanasi), where they would receive certificates of their initiation into ascetic life. The ash-smeared naga sadhus have always been a centre of attraction for the devotees as well as others at the Kumbh.
The Vaishnav seers however will stay at the Mahakumbh till the ‘Trijata Snan’ on February 14, said one of the saints.