Naga Sadhus are well known for their participation in Kumbh Mela/Naga Sadhu of Kumbh Mela. As per Hinduism, Kumbh Mela is a major pilgrimage and festival, which is celebrated by Hindus. It is celebrated to mark the completion of the revolution of Brihaspati.
It occurs every 12 years. The Kumbh Mela is celebrated on four banks viz. At Allahabad or Prayagraj on the confluence of rivers Ganges–Yamuna–Sarasvati or Haridwar on the banks of river Ganges or Nashik on banks of river Godavari and Ujjain on banks of river Shipra.
The key features of Kumbh Mela are camps and processions of sadhu or monks. Till the 18th century, many of these had organised into one of thirteen akharas or the warrior ascetic bands, monastic militia.
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Out of these thirteen ten were related to Hinduism and three were related to Sikhism. Out of the ten related to Hinduism, seven belonged to the Shaivism tradition and three to Vaishnavism.
Out of the three related to Sikhism, two were related to Udasis, which were founded by Guru Nanak’s son and one to Nirmala. Apart from being prominent features of Kumbh Melas, the soldier monk traditions are a well-trenched tradition in Indian society.
Out of these Sadhus who followed Shaivism, part of Shaivite Sadhus was known as Naga Sadhus.
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Naga Sadhu Folklores
Another tale says that Naga in Sanskrit means mountain, people residing in and around mountains are known as Pahadi or Naga. The history of Naga Sadhus is very old.
You can trace back the inheritance to the coins and images of Mohenjo-daro. These coin images show the Naga Sadhus worshipping Bhagwan Shiv, who is in the form of Pashupatinath. During his stay in India, Alexander and his soldiers also met Naga Sadhus.
The devotion to the people and the motherland has also astonished Buddha and Mahavir. Jainism’s Digambar tradition has roots in Naga rituals.
At the time of the invasion by Mlecchas (Mughals), there was a series of attacks on the Sanatan Dharmas and Hindu structures. To protect the Santana Dharma, Naga Sadhus carried out a massive exercise.
This exercise was to organise their strengths. They also formed Akhada. They would fight under the saffron flag to protect the Hindu culture and the Vedic tradition of India. Hindus consider Naga Sadhu as representatives of gods. Most sadhus are males.
In the 16th century, Madhusūdana Sarasvatī of Bengal organised a section of the Naga which means the naked tradition of armed sannyasis to protect Hindus from the tyranny of the Mughal rulers. Naga Sadhu is also called Goswami, Gusain, Gussain, Gosain, Gossain, Gosine, Gosavi, Sannyāsi.
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Who are Naga Sadhus
Naga Sadhus are one of the Shaivite sadhus. It is a branch of Hinduism that focuses on the worship of Lord Shiva as the supreme being.
The lives of these Sadhus are very typical. They also have a distinctive physical appearance. Most of these Sadhus would be seen sporting large, matted dreadlocks.
They smear ash all over their bodies and practically don’t wear any clothes. They smear ash as they give up on clothes completely. They call this ash their shringar (makeup). They also wear Rudraksha Mala. Naga Sadhus or Naga Babas is a group of worshipers who worship Lod Shiva.
They believe in the philosophy that they need to worship Shiva to become Shiva. Their looks are fiercer. They are gentle but detached from the world completely.
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How to Become a Naga Sadhu
Step 1: The first step towards becoming a Naga Sadhu is to become a celibate.
Step 2: You must be ready to not only serve God but also the country and people. A person should have control over his senses along with an immense love for Bhagwan, people and country.
Step 3: The next step is to perform funeral rites for yourself. This is to indicate that your old self is to die and be born again as a Naga Sadhu.
Step 4: They smear ash all over their bodies and practically don’t wear any clothes. They smear ash as they give up on clothes completely.
Step 5: A Naga has to wear a Rudraksha mala on his neck.
Step 6: A Naga Sadhu can only eat once a day – including the day/night cycle.
Step 7: A Naga can sleep only on Mother Earth.
Step 8: Once they get Diksha, Naga gets a mantra from his Guru. His entire life revolves around this Guru mantra.
Step 9: Once they attain Diksha, they cannot live in cities or thickly populated towns.
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Naga Sadhu Protect Santana Dharma
Very few people know about Naga’s sadhus. Most people know naga sadhu as naga sadhu of Kumbh Mela.
Very few know how they become Naga sadhu, what they do to achieve the position of Naga what makes them unique or how they become a driving force for the world to stay in harmony with nature.
It is only a few fortunate who can become Naga Sadhu. A person with the strongest commitment makes a Naga.
The process is so stringent and rigorous that it cannot be matched with the toughest army training in the world. During ancient times, they were trained to fight against anti-Vedic invaders.
Naga Sadhu is well-trained with talwars, trishuls, gadas, teer Dhanush and other weaponry skills. They would go to any extent to protect Mandirs and Maths.
They successfully saved Shiv Mandirs from invaders and Mughals. Aurangzeb had a special army of Muslims. This army was established to denigrate Hindu temples and structures were defeated hundreds of times. All the invaders were killed like mad dogs by brave Naga Sadhus.
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Journey of Becoming Naga Sadhu
The process is unbearable, laborious, stiff and difficult for a materialistic person becoming a Naga Sadhu is almost impossible. Most of the army training across the world is inspired by the training and yogic process of the Naga Sadhus.
Even though the pieces of training are inspired, but still, they cannot be compared to the intolerable and overwhelming circumstances that a Naga Sadhu has to go through.
It is not an exercise of 2 or 3 years but takes at least a decade, or at least 12 years, to become a Naga Sadhu.
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Facts About Naga Sadhu of Kumbh Mela
- Naga sadhus have a spellbinding aura and a visit to Kumbh Mela remains incomplete without experiencing it.
- The Naga Sadhus have renounced all the material pleasures and desires of the world to lead an astute ascetic life.
- The Kumbh Mela is the only time of the year during which they come down to the plains and therefore, an occasion of great significance to them.
- There’s no doubt that Naga Sadhus are trained warriors.
- Naga Sadhu Baba are both non-vegetarians. Some Naga Sadhus are vegetarian as well.
- The special grace of God is preached and taught to human beings by Naga Sadhus. Naga Sadhus are known as warrior Sadhus. They are ready to fight intellectually as well as wrestle if required.
Nagas Beyond Hindus
Most of the Indians, especially Hindus, are the Nagas in the world. But there are few Naga who are not Indian, such as Goa-based Baba Rampuri has only one unfulfilled desire, and that is to become an Indian citizen. He has an ashram in the toniest part of Goa, Assagao.
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Naga Sadhu: FAQ
How to Become Naga Sadhu
To become a naga sadhu you have to go through three stages.
1. The disciple has to offer his pinddaan first. In this five gurus are required and 11 thousand rupees Dakshina. and he has to bear the expense of rituals.
2. Disciple has to wear Janae and kanthi. He has to become Digambar and let her clothes and emotions and detach himself from the entire world. Then fresh ashes from the crematorium are applied to the whole body.
3. He becomes Siddha Digambar in the last. This title is given by area based on the powers gained from asceticism.
How to meet Naga Sadhu
You can meet Naga Sadhu easily at every Kumbh Mela. Naga sadhu visit there with all other naga sadhu.
What is a naga sadhu?
Naga Sadhus are one of the Shaivite sadhus. It is a branch of Hinduism that focuses on the worship of Lord Shiva as the supreme being. The lives of these Sadhus are very typical. They also have a distinctive physical appearance. Most of these Sadhus would be seen sporting large, matted dreadlocks.
Another tale says that Naga in Sanskrit means mountain, people residing in and around mountains are known as Pahadi or Naga.
Where does Naga Sadhu live
Naga sadhu takes part in every Kumbh mela and then goes to their ashram/akhara in the Himalayas. Naga sadhu usually visits Kumbh and Maha Kumbh to take a holy dip.
Who is Naga Sadhu
Naga Sadhus are one of the Shaivite sadhus. It is a branch of Hinduism that focuses on the worship of Lord Shiva as the supreme being. The lives of these Sadhus are very typical. They also have a distinctive physical appearance. Most of these Sadhus would be seen sporting large, matted dreadlocks.
Why Naga Sadhu don’t wear clothes
During of becoming naga sadhu. Naga sadhu has to let off their emotions and attachments with the world. So, naga sadhu let their clothes off to detach themselves from the world.
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