Mahakumbh 2025: Mantras, weapons, scriptures, sacrifice and renunciation are the basic elements of the way of life that Naga Sadhus adopt. They are Shaivites who are absorbed in the power of devotion and renunciation of Shiva. While the difficult life of these ascetics, who believe that the world is impermanent, is one with nature, their initiation method is also amazing. The mysteries related to Naga Sadhus are thrilling. In the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, thousands of determined Avadhoots are going through the process of transformation of their lives in the form of Naga Sadhu. Thousands of monks took initiation in the early hours of Sunday at Shri Panch Dashnam Juna Akhara, the oldest and biggest of Naga Sadhus. Acharya Swami Avadheshanand Giri of the Akhara initiated him.
Becoming a Naga Sadhu means the end of one’s life which is tied in the bondage of worldliness. This is the culmination of Bairaag in which the participants offer Pind Daan of themselves along with their seven generations. It symbolizes the resolve to be completely detached from the world. Generally, when someone dies, his Pind Daan is performed by his descendants.
Being a Sanyasi means becoming fire, air, water and light.
Acharya Peeth of Shripanchadashnam Juna Akhara wrote in a post on X, “Sanyas means due renunciation of desires. Therefore, to be a Sanyasi means to become fire, air, water and light. Every moment of a monk’s life is dedicated to charity. Shri Panchadashnam Juna Akhara at midnight for the promotion and promotion of Sanatan Hindu religion culture by Junapithadhishwar Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Anantashree Anantashree Vibhushit Pujyapad Shri Swami Avadheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj under the divine expression of India’s Vedic Sanatani culture and its cultural heritage “Mahakumbh Prayagraj – 2025 Gave “Sanyasa Diksha” to a large number of Naga-Sanyasis of Went.”
The divine expression of India’s Vedic Sanatani culture and its cultural heritage “Under Maha Kumbh Prayagraj – 2025, Junapithadhishwar Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Anantashree Vibhushit Pujyapad Shri Swami Avadheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj is promoting and promoting Sanatan Hindu religion culture… pic.twitter.com/qePrkkjyMq
— HariharAshram (@HariharAshram) January 19, 2025
Naga Sannyasi are considered to be the ones who perform rigorous penance and are ascetic. They stay away from worldly desires and concentrate only on the cultivation of the soul. The person taking Naga Diksha has to go through the process of complete renunciation from worldly life. They leave their name, identity, family and all relationships and start a new life. Naga Sadhus carry trident and other religious symbols. In the process of becoming a Naga Sadhu, the presence of the initiating Guru and his blessings are very important. It is only under the guidance of the Guru that the Sadhu moves towards his spiritual practice.
A life of difficult renunciation for social welfare
The specialty of Naga Sadhus is that they themselves break away from the society but the aim of their penance and sadhana is always the welfare of the society. Every moment of a monk’s life is dedicated to charity. Naga Diksha is a difficult and intense sadhana process. It is completed in 48 hours. In this, the Mundan and sacred thread of Avadhutas take place on the banks of Ganga. At the same time, other rituals including Pind Daan are performed.
Meaning of renunciation is due renunciation of desires. Therefore, to be a Sanyasi means to become fire, air, water and light. Every moment of a monk’s life is dedicated to charity.
The divine expression of India’s Vedic Sanatani culture and its cultural heritage “Maha Kumbh Prayagraj – 2025… pic.twitter.com/YzlfwUsJ0o— HariharAshram (@HariharAshram) January 19, 2025
Acharya Swami Avadheshanand Giri Maharaj of Juna Akhara gave initiation to Naga Sannyasis at midnight on Sunday. Earlier on Saturday, the seekers who became Naga Sadhus performed Pind Daan of themselves and their seven generations at Sangam Ghat.
Pinddaan of oneself along with seven generations
Before becoming a Naga Sadhu one has to become Avadhut. Under this, the devotees performed Pind Daan at the Sangam in Prayagraj. He made 17 bodies. Of these, 16 were from seven generations before him and one was his own. Acharya Avadheshanand Giri Maharaj gave him the mantra in the early hours of Sunday. The rituals for Naga initiation had started 24 hours in advance with penance under the religious flag. In this process, the devotees continued doing penance for 24 hours without taking food or water. After this he was taken to the banks of Ganga. He took 108 dips in the Ganga. After this Vijay Havan took place. In the next phase, on 29th January, in the early hours of Mauni Amavasya, Avadhoot will be initiated as a Naga Sadhu.
Testing the infinite feeling of renunciation
The age of those who become Naga Sadhus is 17 to 19 years. There are three categories of Naga Sadhus – Mahapurusha, Avadhuta and Digambara. Before these categories the person aspiring to become a Naga Sadhu is tested. Generally, those who express their desire to become Naga Sadhus are turned away from the Akhara. If he has a strong desire and does not agree even after being explained or scolded, then a thorough investigation is done about him by the Akhara. The Akhara investigates deeply about his family, about his character, about his conduct and behaviour. His family is also told that he wants to become a Naga Sadhu. When that person passes every test, he gets approval to become a Naga Sadhu.
A period is fixed to fully test the person who wants to become a Naga Sadhu. Meanwhile, if his attraction towards Sannyasa does not go away, then he has to take a vow for Sannyasi life. With this he is declared a ‘great man’ and his Panch Sanskar is performed. In Panch Sanskar, there are five gods Shiva, Vishnu, Shakti, Surya and Ganesha who have to be made his Guru. The Akhara hands him coconut, saffron clothes, sacred thread, Rudraksh, symbols and ornaments worn by Bhabhut and Naga sadhus. After this, the guru of the Akhara cuts the disciple’s braid with a sword.
The process of liberation from worldly bonds
Naga Sadhus become great men in the first category and then Avadhuta in the second category. During their initiation they are taken to the river bank after early morning meditation. All the hair on his body is cut. After bathing they are made to wear new loincloths. The Guru makes him wear sacred thread and gives him Dand, Kamandal and Bhasma. After this, by offering Pind Daan to their seven generations and themselves, they become free from the bondages of the world. From here his new life in the arena begins. Vijaya Yagya is performed at midnight. After this the Acharya of the Akhara gives Gurumantra to the great man. Next day early in the morning, a saint of Mahapurush category has to take 108 dips in the Ganga. After this he becomes an Avadhuta Sanyasi.
New life as a Naga Sadhu after difficult rites of passage
After becoming Avadhoot, the seeker is given initiation into Digambara. This initiation takes place a day before the royal bath. In this, the Avdhoot has to fast for 24 hours by giving up food and water under the religious flag of the Akhara. In the next step, Tangtod Sanskar is performed. Under this ritual, a fire is lit in front of the spear of the Akhara early in the morning and water is sprinkled on the Avadhoot. After this, a vein of his genitalia is pulled, due to which he becomes impotent. After this ritual, all the sadhus go for the royal bath. As soon as he takes a dip in the Ganga, he becomes a Naga Sadhu.
