Maha Kumbh 2025 | Influencer goes viral as 'Beautiful Sadhvi', earns ire of saints and seers

Harsha Richaria hogged the limelight on social media after her pictures showing her clad in a yellow dress and sporting a ‘rudraksh mala’, went viral on social media after the Maha Kumbh began on Monday.

Lucknow: Referred to as the 'Beautiful Sadhvi', anchor, social activist and influencer Harsha Richaria stirred a controversy at the ongoing Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj after she was seen atop a ‘rath’ (chariot) along with other seers during the ‘peshwai’ (a procession by the seers, naga sadhus of a akhara while entering the Fair), of one of the akharas. This has apparently triggered strong reactions from a section of the saint community.

‘’The seers and saints must avoid such exhibitions at Maha Kumbh.....religion is not showcase.....it sends a wrong message to the society,’’ said Shambhavi Peethadheeshwar Swami Anand Swaroop Maharaj on Wednesday.

Harsha Richaria hogged the limelight on social media after her pictures showing her clad in a yellow dress and sporting a ‘rudraksh mala’ (sacred necklace made from the seeds of rudraksh tree), went viral on social media after the Maha Kumbh began on Monday.

Termed as the ‘’Beautiful Sadhvi’’ and '‘Viral Sadhvi’’, Richaria, who was a resident of Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh but has lived in Uttarakhand, had lakhs of followers on Instagram.

She said that she was a disciple of Acharaya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Kailashanand Giriji Maharaj of Niranjani Akhara. Incidentally Kailashanand Giri is also the ‘guru’ of Apple co-founder Steve Job’s widow Laurene Powell Jobs, who was also taking part in the Mahakumbh.

Richaria said that she turned to spirituality two years back for ‘sukoon’ (peace). ‘’Have turned to spirituality after having done whatever I liked in my life,’’ she replied when asked if she longed to return to her old life.

Richaria, who faced trolling after her pictures atop the chariot went viral on social media, denied that she was a 'sadhvi'.

"I have not been baptised...I have only taken mantra deeksha and to learn Sanatan Dharma," she added.