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Role of Naga Sadhus and Women Naga Sadhus in Kumbh Mela: Naga Sadhus will take part in Maha Kumbh 2025 and mark its beginning with Shahi Snan
Naga Sadhus and Women Naga Sadhus at Kumbh Mela take centre stage and mark its beginning with Shahi Snan. (File photo: Reuters)
India’s Prayagraj is getting all decked up to host the world’s largest religious cultural festival – Mahakumbh Mela – which will attract millions of pilgrims as well as the Naga Sadhus, who hold an enigmatic position in this celebration of spirituality.
The ash-smeared and dreadlocked mystics who remain naked and wear only beads and garlands and smoke wooden pipes captivate the people thronging the festival from far and wide.
Naga Sadhus: Warrior-Ascetics Of Hindu Dharma
The mention of Naga Sadhus can be found in the initial pages of India’s history. The evidence of their existence has been found in the Mohenjo-daro coins and pictures in which they have been showing praying Lord Shiva’s Pashupatinath avatar.
In Sanskrit, the word Naga means mountain or someone who lives in or around the mountains.
In Ancient India, Naga Sadhus were the warrior-ascetics who were given the duty of protecting the Sanatan Dharma.
They carried weapons like swords, tridents, mace, arrows and bows and possessed armament skills for safeguarding the temples.
These warrior-ascetics were known to protect Shiv temples from the Mughal army and invaders. Naga Sadhus had even defeated Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s special army of Muslims, which was created to denigrate Hindu temples, more than a hundred times.
They still continue to roam like spiritual seekers with warrior skills hidden within them.
Rare Insight Into The Lives Of Naga Sadhus
The Naga Sadhus are known to enter the order in their early teens while breaking their attachment with their families and friends and immersing themselves in spiritualism, religious rituals and meditation.
It takes them a year to earn the title of a Naga. After entering the order, for the first six years, they live a life of celibacy after which they are given the title of a great man. After spending 12 more years, they are finally made a Naga.
They spend their lives without any permanent shelter and often remain in caves or stay under open skies.
Naga Sadhus cover their bodies with ash which is a representation of renunciation, purity and their connection to Lord Shiva, who has been also depicted with ash smeared on his body.
In the Kumbh Mela, Naga Sadhus stay in makeshift monasteries known as Akharas and are seen spending their time meditating and smoking cannabis.
Are Female Naga Sadhus Different From Male Naga Sadhus?
The Naga Sadhus are not just male. There are also female Naga Sadhus or ascetic women who spend their lives in spiritual pursuit and renounce worldly life.
Just like their male counterparts, female Naga Sadhus break all their attachments, sever ties with family and leave their material possessions as they embark on the path of asceticism.
Their initiation process also remains as intense as male Naga Sadhus. They have to show their unwavering commitment to their established gurus and have to go through spiritual tests and training.
The female Naga Sadhus have to observe strict celibacy for six to 12 years before their initiation.
For undergoing sadhana or intense penance, female Naga Sadhus generally go to caves, forests, and mountains.
They live in akharas or monastic orders they are associated with and follow their rituals.
The female Naga Sadhus do not remain naked like their male counterparts and wear an unstitched saffron cloth known as “Ganti”. They carry dreadlocks and a tilak on their forehead which makes their appearance distinctive.
In order to sever all their ties, female Naga Sadhus perform their own “Pind Daan” (which is a tradition carried out after someone’s death), representing the ending of their past life.
The female Naga Sadhus receive a lot of respect and are generally addressed as “Mata” (mother) which shows their revered status in the community.
They have been custodians of ancient traditions and teachings of Hinduism. The sacred knowledge as well as scriptures has been passed down by female Naga Sadhus through oral traditions.
Significance Of Naga Sadhus In Kumbh Mela
The most important event of Kumbh Mela is Shahi Snan or Royal Bath and its central figure is Naga Sadhus.
The beginning of the auspicious Kumbh Mela is marked by the ceremonial bath of the Naga Sadhus.
A procession to the riverbanks is carried out which is headed by Naga Sadhus who ride on decorated chariots while showcasing their martial prowess amid a fervent chant of mantras.
They then take a dip in the holy water which is believed to purify the sins of those who immerse themselves in the river.
The Naga Sadhus have remained an integral part of the Kumbh Mela and their mysterious lives have continued to fascinate people from different walks of life.
In Maha Kumbh 2025, Naga Sadhus are again expected to take centre stage, adding the essence of devotion and renunciation in the biggest religious festival.
- Location :
Prayagraj, India
