Kumbh Mela, an important Hindu pilgrimage, is celebrated every 12 years. It attracts the largest recorded public gatherings of Hindus. Maha Kumbh 2025 began on 13th January 2025, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Devotees took their first royal bath at Triveni Sangam. The first bath started at 4 AM on Paush Purnima.
According to reports, a total of 1 crore 65 lakh devotees took a dip on the first day at 44 ghats. Additionally, flowers were showered on the devotees from helicopters.
Maha Kumbh 2025 is taking place in a rare astronomical coincidence that has occurred after 144 years. This is the same coincidence that was made during the Samudra Manthan.
Who are Naga Sadhus?
Naga Sadhus are the Hindu monks who are known for living naked and being expert in martial arts. They live in different Akharas which is a tradition that was started by Adiguru Shankaracharya.
Their ashrams are located in remote areas of Haridwar and other pilgrimages. These saints live under strict discipline away from the common people. It is said that, if someone troubles them without any reason then their anger becomes terrible. They are the devotees of Lord Shiva.
These sadhus are often seen in Kumbh Mela. They come in front of the devotees only during the royal bath in Kumbh Mela and usually, they maintain distance from the media.
As these saints do not wear any clothes, they are called Digambar, meaning, those whose clothes are the sky. In the name of clothes, these sadhus, wrap ashes on their entire body. Most of the Naga Sadhus are men, however, there are some women as well but they do not appear nude in public. They wear a saffron robe.
Why do Naga Sadhus lead the sacred bath?
According to the Hindu mythology, many Hindus believe that the Kumbh Mela originated in times immemorial and is linked to Samudra Manthana, a tale found in the Puranas.
The first people to take the holy bath are Naga Sadhus, as this custom has persisted since the Maha Kumbh Mela was established. It represents the religious significance of Naga Sadhus, who are granted the first privilege to take the Amrit Snan at Maha Kumbh Mela.