Naga Sadhus at the Kumbha (Kumbh) Mela

The Kumbha (Kmbh) Mela or Festival invites millions of Ascetics, pilgrims and foreign tourists. The major crowd puller at the fair, however, remains the congregation of the Naga Sadhus or Naga Babas. These Sadhus attract attention due to their unnatural (or should I say natural) appearance and extraordinary rituals. Tourists from every corner of the world flock to Haridwar, India, during the Kumbha (Kumbh) Mela season to watch these Naga Sadhus meditate and perform other rituals

The uniqueness of this sect of Sadhus is that they remain naked all the time and sport a long knotty hair called Jatta and smear their bodies with ash. This ashis believed to make the Naga Sadhus withstand the extremities of weather. Even at sub zero temperatures they continue to meditate and observe different rituals without being hindered in the least

These Naga Sadhus belong to different 'Akhadas', meaning camps. A number of Akhadas participate in the Kumbha (Kumbh) mela, each having its own group of Naga Babas, many of whom will be initiated in forthcoming Kumbh in Haridwar

During the Kumbha (Kumbh) Mela in Haridwar, the Naga Babas can be seen performing different types of Yoga -Asanas. To watch them busy meditating, travellers need to remain close to the Ganga ghats in Haridwar. One may be surprised to know that these Naga Sadhus can thrive merely on herbs and the Holy waters of Ganges. Interacting with the Naga Babas is seen as a rare opportunity to gain insight into the spiritual as well as meta-physical. These Sadhus make a pilgrimage to the Kumbha Mela to perform various types of Yogic asanas - Sashtang Dandthvad being a most important. The purpose of this Yogic asana is to let the whole body prostrate. You will be deemed fortunate if you catch sight of quintessential the Naga Sadhu in some other Yogic postures like hanging from the branch of a tree, standing on one leg or simply doing the Shavasana (where the yogi is lying motionless as if dead)

The Naga Babas are also seen wearing numerous Rudraksha beads, believed to posses positive healing powers according to the Hindu mythology. These are in actuality the beads of the Rudraksha tree. Not just a few, but you can witness Naga Sadhus wearing thousands of Rudraksha beads. They believe that wearing 11,000 Rudraksha beads will help them attain the form of Lord Shiva - Shankara

While you visit the Akhada (or camp) of Naga Babas, you will see them indulge in smoking the Chilum a pot of clay to hold Bhang (marijuana), this is believed to be the Prasad (holy blessings) of Lord Shiva. The consumption of Bhang is also considered to be a part of the rituals performed by the Naga Sadhus. The Sadhus hold the view that doing so will lead them to Nirvana, meaning the final emancipation of the soul. Pilgrims also flock to the akhadas of Naga Babas in large number.

The upcoming Kumbh Mela in Haridwar will be organized in the year 2010 from January to April. Plan well in advance and do not miss this unique opportunity to visit the Akhadas and interact with the Naga Sadhus

By Manish Mokshagundam