Haridwar Kumbh: The Mahakumbh (Haridwar Kumbh) is organized from April 1 to April 30 in Haridwar on the banks of the holy Ganges River. Till now, there have been two Shahi snan of Kumbh. The first on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri and the second on the occasion of Somavati Amavasya. Today, on April 14, Wednesday, the third royal bath is taking place on the occasion of Aries Sankranti. You must have also seen that every year during Kumbh, millions of akharas as well as Naga sadhu also reach and take the same royal bath first.
The highest Naga monk in the juna arenaNaga sadhus belong to the Shaiva sect. It is during the Mahakumbh that the process of becoming a Naga monk begins. There are 13 akhadas across the country from where the Nagas are made with the ascetics, but it is not possible for everyone to become a Naga. To become a Naga monk, one must have strong will and strong desire to lead a ascetic life. Out of the 13 akharas, only Shaiv Akhade is initiated to become a Naga monk and among these also, the highest number of Naga monks are made in the Juna Akhara.
Have to go through many examsNaga sadhus have to lead a life away from the normal world and normal life, so whenever a person goes to the arena to become a Naga, he has to undergo many types of examinations. The person's celibacy is examined and once one enters the arena, the person has to practice celibacy throughout his life and serve his gurus. During the Mahakumbh, a person who becomes a Naga monk is offered 108 dips in the Ganges and his five gurus are prescribed. A monk who becomes a Naga is given a garland of Bhasm and rudraksh.
This is how Naga monks becomeNow the sage, who has become a great man, has a rite of birth, a pledge is taken to live a monk's life and at the same time a person ready to become a Naga is offered his own and his family's Pind daan and then the whole One has to chant "Om Namah Shivaya" at night. The next day, Vijaya Havan is performed by that monk and 108 dips are made in the Ganges again. After bathing in the Ganges, punishment is sacrificed under the flag of the arena and in this way the process of becoming a Naga monk takes place.
Naga monks follow these rules- Nāga sadhus can sleep only on the ground, not on cot or bed.
- Nāga sadhus take food only once a day and that too by asking for alms.
- Nāga sadhus can ask for alms from only seven houses in a day and if they do not get alms from those seven houses during this time, they have to stay hungry that day.