Sadhu Rituals

Sadhu is an ascetic holy man who devotes himself to the goal of moksha or liberation so that soul can overcome the cycle of reincarnation. The Sadhu tradition in India has a long history which can be traced back to the Vedic Age. Such a Hindu ascetic or a monk renounces worldly pleasures in pursuit of higher values of life in order to attain enlightenment. Through strict and hard practice Sadhu detached themselves from  pleasures and pains of human life which makes them indifferent from world and transports them to the metaphysical world.

Etymologically Sadhu is a Sanskrit word which means a wise man who renounces the world and all worldly pleasures in quest of spirituality, which ultimately lead them to enlightenment. In order to achieve the zenith of human life they live in caves, temples, forests and hill top, practicing strict code and conduct.

Sadhus are followers of the Rishis and Sages who were regarded as the bearer of ancient Vedic values, principles and ethics. It is believed that these Rishis were the masters of metaphysics who even wrote the great Hindu epics. For example the Ramayana (legend of Lord Rama) by Sage Valmiki, the Mahabharta by Ved Vyas, the Bhagavad Gita (the Lord's Song) and many more.

The Rishis are those person who attain enlightenment through the way of knowledge. They are the preacher of  philosophies like Advaita (non-dualism), Visishtadvaita (Qualified Monism) and Dvaita (Dualism), Dialectical Materialism which provide deep insight to followers and help them to come out of the vicious circle of pain and sorrow, birth and death.

Sadhus belong to many different sects and orders. Most of these sects are moderate in their practices but some go to extremes while practicing their beliefs. Some of the known extreme sects of Sadhus are the Ramanandis, the Naga babas,  the Udasin,  the Gorakhnathis or Yogis and the Aghoris. 

Naga Sadhus:

The Naga Babas or Naga Sadhus are one of the major drawcards of the Kumbh Mela. Naga Sadhus are followers of the Shiva sect. The distinguishable features of this sect of sadhus include long knotted hair and naked body smeared with ashes. Naga Sadhus are categorised into Akharas, just like regiments in an army. They hold sticks, spears, swords and trident as a symbol of their identity. Some of the prominent Naga Akharas are Sanyasi Akhadas/Akharas, Bajrangi Akharas/Akhadas and Nirmal Akharas/Akhadas which are further subdivided into numbers of Akharas.

Almost every regiment of Naga Sadhus participate in the rituals of Kumbh Mela. During their Kumbh Pilgrimage they perform various types of  Yogic Asanas, Sashtang and indulge in Dandthvad and Philosphical Discourses. Their nakedness does not emit their sexual desire, but on the contrary it reveals their strong discipline and command. Naga Baba in Kumbhmela perform various Asanas and are known for their spiritual, positive and intellectual power which attracts scores of people to their camps.

On a visit to the Naga Sadhus Camp one can see them indulge in smoking 'chilum' (a marijuana based smoking pipe) and consuming bhang. These narcotic consumptions are a part of their rituals which help them attain cognitive calmness.

Akharas of Naga Baba in Kumbh Mela

Akhadas of Sanyasi:

• Shri Taponidhi Niranjani Akhada Panchayati
• Shri Panchayati Anand Akhada
• Shri Panchadashnam Juna Akhada
• Shri Panch Ahvan Akhada
• Shri Agni Akhada
• Shri Panchayat Akhada Mahanirvani
• Shri Panch Atal Akhada

• Shri Nirvani Akhada
• Shri Digambar Akhada
• Shri Nimrohi Akhada

• Shri Panchayati Akhada
• Shri Udasin Panchayati Naya Akhada
• Shri Nirmal Panchayati Akhada