Seers' daily rituals
Ash-smeared seers at the Maha Kumbh start their day at 4 am with a sacred dip at the Sangam, followed by rituals before welcoming pilgrims.
Akhada life explained
Life in akhadas for seers involves guru worship, 'yagya,' meditation, and evening prayers, with their day filled with sacred practices and attending pilgrims.
Sacred daily practices
Seers spend their day in 'satsang,' reciting the Bhagavad Gita, chanting mantras, and also attending to pilgrims, whether out of faith or curiosity.
Significance of akhadas
Akhadas, monastic sects with distinct spiritual practices, bring seers together. Juna Akhada is one of the largest and oldest of the 13 participating in the Maha Kumbh.
Akhada rituals and processions
The 13 akhadas, divided into Sanyasi, Bairagi, and Udaseen groups, have designated ritual times, creating lively processions with decorated elephants, horses, and bands.
Path to peace
Mahant Vashishth of Panchayati Akhada emphasized that their prayers follow strict rituals. He mentioned that despite worldly distractions, they guide people towards spirituality and peace.
Women seers’ spiritual journey
Cheshna, a woman seer, explained that her decision to renounce worldly life for spirituality was inspired by transformative life experiences, as she led diksha rituals for 200 women.
Akhada bathing order
During Amrit Snan, akhadas take the first holy dip, with the Akhada Parishad assigning time slots based on hierarchy.
Naga sadhus’ Amrit Snan
Naga sadhus, mounted on horses with tridents and swords, take the first holy dip at Triveni Sangam during 'Brahma Muhurta,' marking the start of Amrit Snan.
Ascetics first to immerse
Mahakumbh Nagar additional district magistrate explained that The Maha Kumbh attracts ascetics from remote places, and after astrologers set the 'Kumbhayog' time, Naga sadhus are the first to bathe.