Naga ascetics remain in spotlight during Kumbh
HARIDWAR: Living in secluded places and meditating for years, Naga seers arrive in grand way only during Kumbh. Barely clad or even nude, with white ash smeared on their bodies, long matted hairs and Rudraksh garland, naga ascetics are central attraction during every Kumbh mela.
Naga ascetics renounce the world at an early age with 12 years of rigorous “deeksha”. Not all pass this test which make the tag of “Naga sanyasis” more luring and add to a certain mystique around them. Life of naga ascetics is quite tough, infact they are destined to live a secluded, tough life not to resort to any materialistic things or amenities.
Major time of naga ascetics is spent in deep meditation be it in caves of Himalayas or dense secluded forest, the more they meditate the more spiritual benefit they accrue. They rely on vegetarian food eating once in a day, regulary worship to their spiritual gurus, Akhada deity and get involved in inner ashram activities but remain aloof from outside world.
Acharya Mahamandaleshwar of Shri Panch Dashnam Juna Akhada - the biggest among 13 akhadas - told HT that Juna has the largest number of naga ascetics. “Juna, Maha Nirvani , Niranjani , Atal, Agni, Ananand and
Aahwan Akhada give deeksha to ascetics for making them naga sanyasis.
When a naga is selected, he relinquishes the world ,family and his past to carry forward the age old tradition of naga sanyasis. During Mahakumbh, Acharya Mahmandaleshwar of respective Akhadas give deeksha to such ascetics after which only they become naga ascetic,” said Acharya Mahamandaleshwar.
Shri Panchayati Akhada Maha
Nirvani, which is the third largest Akhada also, has rich tradition of making naga ascetics. Naga ascetics are well trained in traditional weapons and self defence skills.
Notably if a naga is given deeksha in Haridwar Kumbh then he is known as Barfani naga, in Prayag Raj Naga, Ujjain Khooni naga and in Nashik Khichadiya naga. Further highly qualified and capable naga get elevated to Digambar and then Shri Digambar pontiff post.