The 13 Akharas, flag bearers of Sanatan Dharma present in Sector 20, adorn the Prayagraj Mahakumbh. The process of new recruitment has started in the army of Naga ascetics of these Akharas, the center of people’s faith, in Mahakumbh city. The process of Naga initiation of the Avdhoots of Shri Panch Dashnam Juna Akhara has started on the banks of Ganga. Shri Panch Dashnam Juna Akhara is the Akhara with the highest number of Naga ascetics among the Sanyasi Akharas, in which the number of Nagas is constantly increasing, the process of expansion of which started on Saturday.
1500 Avdhoots of Shri Panch Dashnam Juna Akhara become Naga Sanyasis
The Naga Sanyasis, Digambara devotees, is attracting everyone’s attention in ongoing Mahakumbh in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Instead of the camp of Akharas, the banks of Ganga in Sector 20 witnessed the tradition of these Naga Sanyasis which the Avdhoots of the Akharas wait for every 12 years. Mahant of Shri Panch Dashnam Juna Akhara, Shri Mahant Chaitanya Puri told that Naga initiation had started on Saturday. In the first phase, over 1500 Avdhoots wouldbeing initiated as Naga Sanyasis. Juna Akhara is at the forefront in the number of Naga Sanyasis, which currently has more than 5.3 lakh Naga Sanyasis.
Initiation connection between Mahakumbh and Naga Sanyasis
Naga Sanyasis are made only in Kumbh and their initiation takes place there. First of all, the sadhak has to live as a celibate. He has to serve his gurus for three years and understand the religious practices and rules of the Akharas. During this period, his celibacy is tested. If the Akhara and the person’s guru decide that he is fit to be initiated, then he is taken to the next process. This process takes place in the Maha Kumbh where he is made a Mahapurush and then an Avdhoot from a Brahmachari. In the Mahakumbh, his head is shaved on the banks of the Ganges and he is made to take a dip in the river of the Mahakumbh 108 times. The final process includes his own Pind Daan and Dandi Sanskar etc.
Under the religious flag of the Akhara, the Acharya Mahamandleshwar of the Akhara gives him Naga initiation. Those who take initiation in the Mahakumbh of Prayag are known as Raj Rajeshwari Naga, those who take initiation in Ujjain are known as Khooni Naga, those who take initiation in Haridwar are known as Barfani and those from Nashik are known as Khichdi Naga. They are known by different names only so that they can be identified as to who has taken initiation from where.
