The Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj is not just a confluence of spiritual energy but also a showcase of unique traditions upheld by various Akharas. Each Shaivite Dashanami Akhara has its own internal governance, complete with dedicated “Kotwalis†(police stations) and “Kotwals†(chiefs) responsible for maintaining order within their camps.
“The Kotwals are always Naga ascetics,†explains Mahant Mahendranand of the Niranjani Akhara. “Their primary duty is to ensure discipline among the Nagas and other sadhus. They are empowered to impose penalties, both minor and severe, depending on the transgression.â€
Punishments and Internal Laws
Akharas have their own sets of rules and unique methods of delivering justice. Minor offenses may result in unusual punishments, such as distributing datun (chewing sticks) to all members or performing camp cleaning duties for a week.
However, serious crimes like marriage, rape, or financial misconduct often lead to expulsion from the Akhara.
Digambar Ganesh Puri, Kotwal of the Mahanirvani Akhara, shares, “the purpose of these punishments is not merely punitive but corrective. They aim to make the offender realize their mistakes. Most penalties are religious rather than financial.â€
In the case of severe accusations, the individual must present their defense before a council under the “Dharmadhwaja†(religious flag), where the final decision is made by the panch (council). The Akharas avoid external courts, resolving disputes internally through deliberation and consensus.
Strenuous Rituals Begin for Naga Sannyas Initiates
On Saturday, over 900 ascetics of the Juna Akhara embarked on their Naga Sannyas initiation. The day began with a collective dip in the Ganges, where each ascetic performed 108 immersions, chanting “Har Har Mahadev.â€
Following this, the initiates underwent traditional tonsure and Janeu (sacred thread) rituals. Back at the camp, the novices gathered around a sacred fire under the Dharmadhwaja to begin intense spiritual practices. As per tradition, these ascetics, dressed only in loincloths, must renounce worldly ties through rigorous rituals that last 48 hours.
“Through these practices, the ascetics learn to conquer their senses and offer their weaknesses to the sacred fire,†explained Shri Mahant Mohan Giri.
Rituals of Renunciation
One of the most profound aspects of Naga initiation is the self-performed pind daan (offering to ancestors), a ritual traditionally reserved for the deceased. By performing their own pind daan, initiates symbolically renounce their previous lives, severing all social ties and familial obligations.
“The pind daan liberates them from worldly debts, including their duties toward ancestors,†says Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Awadheshanand Giri. “It is a step toward complete surrender to spiritual life. Once they take this step, there is no return to the social realm.â€
The initiation culminates with the distribution of symbolic items like the kandi (sling bag), saffron robes, loincloths, and bhabhoot (sacred ash). With these rituals complete, the novices are formally inducted into the Naga order.
The Akharas, with their disciplined structures and centuries-old practices, offer a glimpse into a world where spirituality and tradition merge seamlessly. The Maha Kumbh, thus, becomes not just a religious congregation but a celebration of India’s profound spiritual heritage.
