The Mahakumbh Mela, the world’s largest religious gathering, is happening in India as you read the article. Mahakumbh is a religious gathering that occurs once in every 144 years, which happens after 12 Purn Kumbhs. Amidst the festive fervor of Mahakumbh, the ascetics – Naga Sadhus from all over the country flock to the gathering to immerse themselves in spirituality and celebration. The Naga Sadhus are revered in Hinduism and have an intriguing history in Indian culture. Let’s understand a bit more about the Naga Sadhus in Mahakumbh Mela.
Who Are The Naga Sadhus?
The Naga Sadhus are members of various akharas (monastic orders) who dedicated their lives to spiritual enlightenment.
Their presence is quite distinct – ash covers their naked body and their hair is matted in locks that symbolize their renouncement of worldly desires and pleasures.
They carry the damru, a kamanadalu, and/or a staff or a trishul – all of these objects are associated with Hindu gods, particularly Lord Shiva.
Naga Sadhus form one of the oldest living sects in India, emerging from Shaivism. In fact, it is believed that when Alexander the Great invaded India in 326 BCE, he came across different religious sects in India, including the Naga Sadhus.
The revered Indian philosopher Adi Shankaracharya is believed to have established monastic institutions called Akharas to organize Hindu ascetics and preserve and propagate spiritual teachings.
Naga Sadhus In Mahakumbh Mela: The Amrit Snan
Covered in bhasma (ash), Naga Sadhus take the first Amrit Snan (holy dip) at the Triveni Sangam during Mahakumbh Mela.
This sangam (confluence) is where rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati meet, and is considered to be one of the holiest places in Hinduism.
The ceremonial bath in Mahakumbh Mela 2025 commenced under the Pushya and Punarvasu nakshatras (constellations).
First, the invocation of Lord Ganesha takes place, post which several rituals are conducted.
During these rituals, the Naga Sadhus also perform the 21-step adornment process. The Naga Sadhus Maha Rudrabhishekam is also an important ritual in the Mahakumbh Mela that millions of devotees look forward to.
The 21-Step Adornment Process Performed By Naga Sadhus
You must’ve heard of the Solaah Shringaar (16-step adornment process) that married Hindu women are advised to follow. However, the Naga Sadhus have a more elaborate process than that, taking about 21 steps.
These steps include applying bhasma (ash), chandan (sandalwood paste), as well as wearing rudraksh beads and rudraksh malas (garlands).
According to their Panchkesh tradition, their matted locks are wrapped 5 times to symbolize their spiritual discipline.
This adornment process is not merely physical, it has more to do with purifying and adorning the mind and soul.
The applying of various powders, ash, and carrying of items like trishul and damru are not merely for the sake of it – they represent the spiritual ethos of the sadhus.
The bhasma is a symbol of the perishing nature of life, while the chandan represents purity and sanctity. The rudraksh bead is a holy symbol of Lord Shiva, believed to represent his tears.
The kamandalu (water pot), trishul (trident), and damru (drum) are also symbols associated with Lord Shiva, which is why Naga Sadhus worship them.
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How Do Naga Sadhus Live?
Life of a Naga Sadhu is quite different than most of us – it is a challenging one, to say the least. The process of turning into a Sadhu from an aspirant is one involving tremendous sacrifice and rigorous spiritual practice.
Aspirants must announce celibacy or Brahmacharya, completely giving away worldly desires. They are thoroughly evaluated by the governing Akhara for over 12 years.
Once the initial stage ends, the aspirant undergoes the ‘panch guru’ and ‘pind daan’ rituals. The former involves introducing the aspirant to five spiritual guides while the latter involves conducting funeral rites of the aspirant signifying that they have completely given up their previous identity.
The Diksha or the permission to become a Sadhu is only given after the aspirant fulfills all Brahmcharya rules. There are several other rules that they must adhere to, such as completely renouncing clothes, only sleeping on the floor, and living away from social life.
Where Do Naga Sadhus Go After Mahakumbh 2025?
You must be wondering where do Naga Sadhus in Mahakumbh Mela go after the religious gathering ends. Once the event is over, the sadhus silently embark on their spiritual journey, in deep caves and forests.
Unlike priests and monks who live in temples, homes, and monasteries, the Naga Sadhus do not participate in social life. Instead, they return to their mission of attaining higher levels of divinity.
They mostly travel at night to avoid being noticed by people and dwell deep inside caves, forests, and hills in the Himalayas and other such mountains. Once there, they devote their life to meditation, yoga, and penance.
Read More: What to Wear and How to Prepare for Mahakumbh Mela 2025
Mahakumbh Mela Dates And Duration
The Mahakumbh 2025 will be held in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. This event is scheduled to begin in early January 2025 and will run through to mid-March 2025, although the dates can be flexible based on the specific planetary alignment.
Mahakumbh is traditionally celebrated for about 45 days, with specific days known as Shahi Snans (Royal Bathing Days) when large crowds of devotees gather to take a holy dip. Some of the most significant bathing dates are:
Makar Sankranti (January 14, 2025)
Mauni Amavasya (February 9, 2025)
Basant Panchami (February 14, 2025)
Mahashivaratri (February 25, 2025)
Buddha Purnima (May 6, 2025)
During these special days, devotees from all parts of India and abroad visit Prayagraj to join the massive throng of pilgrims in the sacred waters.
The exact dates of these royal bathing days can vary depending on the lunar calendar and astrological calculations.
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Summing Up
The Mahakumbh Mela is one of the most important religious gatherings India is hosting in 2025. And one of the most striking features of this event is the presence of thousands of ascetics, particularly Naga Sadhus.
With a mysterious life away from the human world, they devote themselves to rigorous meditation, yoga, and preserving their teachings.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1. What Do Naga Sadhus Do?
Naga Sadhus dedicate their lives to spiritual enlightenment. They renounce their material possessions and live an ascetic life away from humans.
Q2. What Are The 4 Places Of Mahakumbh?
The Kumbh Mela rotates among four sacred locations in India:
- Prayagraj (Allahabad) – at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mystical Saraswati rivers.
- Haridwar – along the banks of the Ganga River.
- Ujjain – on the Shipra River.
- Nashik – on the banks of the Godavari River.
Each site holds its unique spiritual significance, and Mahakumbh 2025 will be hosted at Prayagraj, the most revered among the four.
Q3. What Is A Fun Fact About Kumbh Mela?
Kumbh Mela holds the Guinness World Record as the largest peaceful gathering of people. During the 2013 Maha Kumbh, over 120 million devotees participated, with an astonishing 30 million pilgrims arriving in a single day!
