Celebrated as the largest religious human gathering in the world, the “Maha Kumbh Mela” is considered to be the most auspicious mela (fair or festival), and occurs once every 12 years.
The name ‘Maha Kumbh Mela’ basically means great festival of the pot. It specifically relates to a pot of nectar in Hindu mythology. According to Hindu mythology, during a battle, the celestial bird Garuda flew away with a kumbh (pot) that held Amrit, the nectar of immortality. Drops of nectar are believed to have fallen in the places where the Kumbh Mela is now held.
The Kumbh Mela is one of the only opportunities to see the Naga Sadhus, a sect of reclusive Hindu hermits, many of whom live in isolation after taking a vow of celibacy and renouncing worldly possessions.
From all over the country, thousands flock to take up the mantle of the Naga, claiming to possess a desire to walk in the path of self-denial. This desire is the only criteria that the Naga gurus look for in a devotee.
The devotees go through various rituals like shaving their heads, consuming amrit, taking part in their Antim Sanskaar or the rites of passage, smearing mud, turmeric and ash on their bodies, and finally, covering themselves with loin cloths, symbolizing a new body and a new soul.
All these rituals take place as a declaration of the devotees’ self-denial – a proclamation that they are to be considered dead to their families, their loved ones and to the rest of the world.
Many women also choose to follow the Naga way. Calling themselves Juna Sanyasini Akhara or the Juna Nuns, they are the harbingers of a new tradition in this male dominated religious order.
A Naga Sadhu is not just meant to be a naked ash-smeared ascetic, but an individual who is believed to have crossed all boundaries to achieve the highest state of consciousness and attain the ultimate truth of life.
The path of the Naga is known to be a burdensome one, and yet thousands choose to follow and walk in it. Although each of them claims to do so to satisfy a spiritual thirst, for many, the reasons can be quite contrasting.
A large portion of the devotee’s volunteer to become Nagas in order to escape oppressive circumstances. Fleeing from their caste, running away from poverty or unfortunate family situations – the reasons are plenty.
In the case of women, many of them choose to become Juna Nuns to flee from the disgrace of widowhood.
Although claiming to be self-sacrificial, a significant number of Naga Sadhus adopt this way of life because it is more convenient than the alternative. Though they are meant to be warriors of the deity Shiva, brave, strong and ready to fight, many of them put on the Naga mantle in order to run away from the battles they face – whether in their families, or in their societies.
Why do thousands of people choose a path that requires them to live in caves and forests? Why do they give themselves up to rituals and customs, choosing celibacy and various hardships?
One can only wonder.
Why do so many people choose the walk of the Naga Sadhu? Maybe the answer is that they don’t. For many, maybe there is no other choice.
