Know About Naga Baba & Akhadas

Haridwar Maha Kumbh 2021 

Maha Kumbh Festival, Haridwar invites millions of tourists, pilgrims and foreign nationals. The major crowd puller at the fair, however, remains the congregation of the Naga Sadhus. These sadhus keep attracting the attention of all due to their out-of-the-world appearance and extraordinary rituals. Tourists from every corner of the world flock to Haridwar during the Kumbh Mela season to watch these Naga Baba meditate and perform other rituals. The identification features of this sect of sadhus include being naked, having long knotty hair and having a body smeared with ashes. In addition, the Naga Babas are able to withstand the extremities of weather.
Even when the mercury dips down to a single digit, they continue to meditate and observe different rituals without being hindered in the least. These Naga Sadhus belong to different 'Akhadas', meaning camps. A number of Akhadas participate in the Haridwar Kumbh Mela, each having its own group of Naga Babas. Living life in the most unconventional way, the Naga Sadhus follow their own style and enjoy it too without caring about the world at all. During the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar, the Naga Babas can be seen performing different types of Yogasanas. To watch them busy meditating, travellers need to remain close to the Ganga ghats in Haridwar. You will be surprised to know that these Naga Sadhus can thrive merely on herbs. Interacting with the Naga Babas is seen as a rare opportunity to know things that are so out of the world yet belong to us. These sadhus make a pilgrimage to the Kumbh Mela to perform various types of Yogic asanas, Sashtang Dandthvad being the most prominent one. The purpose of this Yogic asana is to let the whole body prostrate. You will be deemed fortunate if you catch sight of these Naga Sadhus in some other Yogic postures like hanging from the branch of a tree.
The Naga Babas are also seen wearing numerous Rudraksha beads, believed to possess positive healing powers according to Hindu mythology. These are in actuality the beads of the Rudraksha tree. Not just a few, but you can witness Naga Sadhus wearing thousands of Rudraksha beads. They believe that wearing 11,000 Rudraksha beads will help them attain the form of Lord Shankara.
While you visit the Akhada (or camp) of Naga Babas, you will see them indulge in smoking 'chillum', a pot of clay to hold bhang, the narcotic marijuana. The consumption of bhang is also considered to be a part of the rituals performed by the Naga Babas. The sadhus hold the view that doing so will lead them to nirvana, meaning the final emancipation of the soul. Pilgrims also flock to the Akhadas of Naga Babas in large numbers. The upcoming Kumbh Mela in Haridwar will be organized in the year 2010. So, the next time you plan a tour to the Kumbh Festival, do try to find an opportunity to get to one of the Akhadas and interact with the Naga Babas. But, keep your cameras poised! 

List of Naga Baba/Sadhus Akhada

Sanyasi Akhadas

Shri Taponidhi Niranjani Akhada Panchayati
Shri Panchayati Anand Akhada
Shri Panchadashnam Juna Akhada
Shri Panch Aahvan Akhada
Shri Agni Akhada
Shri Panchayat Akhada Mahanirvani
Shri Panch Atal Akhada Bairagi Akhadas Shri Nirvani Akhada
Shri Digambar Akhada
Shri Nimrohi Akhada Nirmal Akhadas Shri Panchayati Udasin Akhada
Shri Udasin Panchayati Naya Akhada
Shri Nirmal Panchayati Akhada

About Akahadas

As per the Vedic Concept of life, the usual life span of a person was divided into four distinct periods or ashrams, brahmacharya or study period, grihastha or normal life period, vanaprastha, or withdrawal period and sannyasa. As this system fell into disuse and the concept of Mathas gained prominence and became an important centre to propagate ethical behaviour and to protect the Vedic concept of life. the sanyasis of various Mathas were divided into various categories governing the various aspects of Vedic life Akhara means literally a place for verbal debate or a place for practice for the protection of Sanatana Dharma.
Akhara is divided into 8 Davas (दावा) (divisions) and 52 Madhis (मढ़ी) (centres). Each Marhi is governed by a Mahant. The top administrative body of the Akhara is Shree Panch (the body of five), representing Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Shakti and Ganesha. It is elected on every Kumbh Mela and the body holds its post for 4 years. Traditionally during the Kumbh Mela, the Naga Sadhus, and the 'Akharas', take the principal place in initiating the bathing rituals, before the general population steps in.
Overview
Akharas are divided into different types according to the concept of God they worship. Shaiva Akharas for followers of Lord Shiva, Vaishnava or Vairagi Akhara for followers of Lord Vishnu and Kalpwasis for followers of Lord Brahma.
Its history date back to the 8th century AD when Adi Shankaracharya established seven Akharas namely Mahanirvani, Niranjani, Juna, Atal, Avahan, Agni and Anand Akhara. Today there are 3 major Akharas (Mahanirvani, Niranjani, Juna) and 3 minor Akharas (Atal affiliated with Mahanirvani, Anand affiliated with Niranjani, Avahan affiliated with Juna). Furthermore, there is one small Brahmachari Akhara named Agni, affiliated with Juna.
The naga Akhada Movement Akharas were established by Shree Adi Shankaracharya who divided Sannyasa into two categories:
Astradharis (weapon holders)
Shastradharis (scripture holders)
This movement was founded in the 8th century by Adi Shankaracharya when he established a group of fighters initiated followers whose task was to protect pilgrims and sadhus from robbers & other enemies, later called the Nagas Astradharis (weapon holders)
The first group is known as Naga Sannyasis; their initiation ceremony takes place only during Kumbh Mela. Only those who were initiated during Kumbh Mela in Prayag are eligible to be Shree Mahants. The initiation ceremony for nagas is different from those for the second group (Paramahansas and Dandies). The biggest Akhara - regarding the number of Sadhus in it - is Juna, then Niranjani and then Mahanirvani. The first person in the Akhara is the Acharya Mahamandaleshwar, followed by other Mahamandaleshwaras, Mandaleshwaras and Shree Mahants.

Why do We Celebrate the Holi Festival?

Why is Holi Celebrated?

Holi festival has a religious story associated with it due to which the festival of colours is celebrated. There was a king named Hiranyakashipu. He had a son named Prahlada as a God Vishnu devotee. In spite of several threats from Hiranyakashipu, Prahalada continued to offer prayers to God Vishnu. This annoyed Hiranyakashipu. He tried several ways to kill his own son, but all the efforts were in vain. Finally, he decided that his son will sit in the lap of his sister Holika and will burn him. Holika had a boon that she could not get burned by fire. Prahalada accepted the orders of his father without any hesitation, as he had a firm belief in God Vishnu. Prahalada survived the fire unharmed and the lady with the boon burnt to death in the fire. This is why we celebrate Holi. Apart from this, another reason for celebrating the Holi festival is that it is also the beginning of the new season. This is the season of spring that starts from the day of Holi. Holi is celebrated to welcome the new season of spring. The craze of the Holi festival is increasing day by day in India. In most regions, it’s being celebrated as one of the biggest festivals in India. Holi is being celebrated in India as in the memory of the year those have passed by and welcoming the coming year.

How Holi Is celebrated?

Holi is being treated as one of the occasions on which people lose themselves free and enjoy the hidden crazy self. Yet another way to celebrate the occasion is to have bhang. People tend to drink bhang and set them loose to the tunes of the Holi celebrations.

Kids enjoy the festival the most as they fill the water balloons and try to aim at each other with those. Elders too enjoy the festival of colours as they too colour each other with Gulal. Sweets play an important part in the festival as ladies engage themselves in preparing Gujia for the family members. The form of sweets change according to the tradition and the beliefs in all the states across the country for example Malpua, Puran Poli, Gujia, and Dahi Badas are the main sweets for the occasion.

In some of the states, this festival is celebrated in a unique manner as they have a tradition of breaking a pot full of buttermilk. There is a huge prize for the one who breaks the pot of buttermilk. A human pyramid is made which decrease as the level of the human pyramid grows.

After an eventful day, people then exchange sweets with friends. This is the time when the festival is celebrated in a more dignified way. This was the traditional way to celebrate the festival, but as technology has taken over the way of celebrating the festival has also changed the young generation of India to celebrate the festival of colours in a different manner. There might be several ways to celebrate the festival but the feeling behind each and every way remains the same as they all want to spread love and welcome the coming year ahead.

When is Holi 2021?

Holi in 2021 will start on Sunday, the 28th of March and will continue for 2 days until Monday, the 29th of March.

The Origins Of The Kumbh Mela Festival

The oldest foundation of the Kumbh Mela is portrayed in the Vedic writings of India as being developed from past days when the demons and the demigods created the nectar of immortality. It is stated that the demons and the demigods gathered on the coast of the milk ocean that is situated in the celestial area of the cosmos. The demons and the demigods came up with a plan to churn the milk ocean in order to create the nectar of immortality. Afterwards, they made an agreement to share the nectar evenly as soon as it was created.

The Mandara Mountain was utilized as the churning rod for churning the milk ocean and the king of serpents, Vasuki became the rope for churning. When the churning commenced, the Mandara Mountain started to submerge deep into the ocean and Vishnu incarnated as a mighty tortoise and sustained the mountain on his So, with the demons at Vasuki's head and demigods at his tail, they churned the milk ocean for one thousand years.
The churning of the milk ocean initially generated a fatal poison that Shiva consumed without being affected. When Shiva drank the poison, some of it fell from his hands and were consumed by snakes, scorpions, and other lethal creatures. After Shiva consumed the poison, several magnificent items were generated. Initially, a Surabhi cow materialized which could produce limitless magnitudes of milk. Afterwards, a white horse called Uccaihsrava was then brought into being, along with a white elephant called Airavata. Then a precious gem is known as the Kaustubha-mani also appeared.
After all these occurrences was the apsaras, stunning dancing girls and a multitude of other amazing things emerging from the milk ocean. Finally, a male being named Dhanvantari came into sight holding the pot of immortal nectar in his hands. Seeing Dhanvantari with the pot of nectar, both the demons and demigods became apprehensive. The demigods were fearful of what would take place if the demons consumed their portion of the nectar of immortality and by force took hold of the pot.
Severe fighting broke out wherever the demigods went with the pot of nectar. In an effort to keep the nectar from the demons, the demigods concealed it in four places on the earth, Prayag (Allahabad), Hardwar, Ujjain, and Nasik. At each of these hiding places, a drop of immortal nectar dripped from the pot onto the earth. These four regions from then are said to have attained magical power.
After some time, the demigod's overt woman, Mohini-murti advanced towards the demons. When the demons set eyes on the delightful splendour of Mohini-murti, they lost all self-control. Seeing her pleasant smile, slender hips and her overall beauty, the demons totally forgot about consuming the nectar of immortality. While the demons were baffled by her magnificence, Mohini-murti snatched the nectar and took it back to the demigods, who drank it right away.
Kumbh Mela received its name from the immortal Pot of Nectar portrayed in olden Vedic scriptures called the Puranas. Kumbha in the Sanskrit language denotes ' pitcher or pot and Mela signifies 'festival'. Therefore Kumbh Mela basically represents the festival of the pot, or in this instance, a festival that commemorates the materialization of the pot of nectar.

What is Dharma (धर्म )?

DHARMA (धर्म): we need to know the truth about Dharma!

In the context of the civilization and culture of the ancient Bharat (India), DHARMA did not have the same meaning in the last thousand years. The concept of religion, as spread by the believers of Christianity and Islam are ingrained in the minds of the people of the Bharat(भारत), enslaving the Bharat physically, mentally and spiritually. This external religious concept refers to a variety of customs, traditions and beliefs in one's attempt to meet God.

The writings of the various religions make clear the name of the religion and what its adherents are called - Christianity is a religion and followers are called Christians, Judaism is a religion - followers are called Jews. Nowhere in our Scriptures - the Veda, the Upanishads, the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, there is a reference to the religion of the people in the nation called Bharat (भारत) or what the followers are.

In the scriptures of the Bharat, Dharma (which does not have the same religious connotations) refers to the practice of good deeds or laws - practices established by individuals, families, communities, people in authority to follow for the health of the family, society and the Nation.

These good works or laws were called Dharma- like Pitri dharma (पितृ धर्म), Matri dharma (मातृ धर्म), Raj dharma (राज धर्म), Nari dharma (नारी धर्म) etc. the basic laws or functions of various members of society, society and the nation developed, over the years, by rishis (ऋषि), munis (मुनि), scholars (विद्वान) and other intellectuals (बुद्धिजीवी). This is taught in the ashramas (आश्रम) of teachers(गुरु) such as Vashishtha (वशिष्ठ), Kashyap (कश्यप), Angira (अंगिरा), Kanva (कण्व), Agastya (अगस्त्य), Dronacharya (द्रोणाचार्य) and others. In Manu Smriti the archaeologist Manu mentions keeping the following ten principles: Dhrity (patience), kshma क्षमा (forgiveness), dama (दम) (self-control), Asteya अस्तेय (honest), Sauch शौच (holiness), Indriya Nigraha (इन्द्रिय निग्रह) (sensory control), Dhi धी (reason), Vidya विद्या (information), Satya (सत्य) (to be true), Akrodhah (अक्रोध) (lack of anger) a person makes DHARMA. The principles of DHARMA were incorporated into Veda and other texts and the people of the country followed these practices.

When Dashratha sent Rama to exile for 14 years, he followed Kshatriya dharma (क्षत्रिय धर्म), keeping his promise to his wife. Rama obeyed his father's command and followed Putra dharma (पुत्र धर्म). Sita chose to accompany her husband into exile; followed Nari dharma, to be with her husband in good or bad times. Bhil Eklabya (भील एकलव्य) ​​donated his cut thumb to Dronacharya, followed by Shishya dharma (शिष्य धर्म). Raja Harishchandra handed over his kingdom to Brahmin (ब्राह्मण) who performed Raj dharma (राज धर्म) and when he asked for part of his son Rohitashwa's coffin, he listened to Bhritya dharma (भृत्य धर्म). There are many examples in our writings of people, communities, activists, and people in authority who follow their good works - their dharma.

In which of the following situations or similar situations do we find Dharma as something related to spiritual activity or to God? The Shrimadvagawad Gita is the essence of what Dharma is for an individual, family, community or nation as defined by Bhagawan Krishna. Two Shlokas from Gita were heard by countless millions in Bharata, not only by Gita believers but also by millions of people of other religions when the Mahabharata was broadcast on T.V., almost a few believers did not understand the meaning of these Shlokas. In these two shlokas, Krishna gives a clear definition of DHARMA.

यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भव- ति भारत ।

        अभ्युत्थान- मधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम्- ॥४-७॥

परित्राणाय- साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम्- ।

धर्मसंस्था- पनार्थाय सम्भवामि युगे युगे ॥४-८॥

yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata

abhutthanam adharmaysa tadatmanam srijamyaham

paritranaya sadhunam are missing duskritam

dharma sansthapanarthaya sambhawami yuge yuge.

Is the word dharma here the same as the English word religion? Did Krishna tell Arjun that Pandava and Kaurawa were at war because all the people who had taken part in the war had forgotten God or were not participating in prayers or activities regarding spiritual "Dharmasya glani" and "abjhuthanamadharmasya" refer to a reduction in the maintenance of good jobs and an increase in activities that were contrary to the accepted principles of dharma - setting the langshagriha on fire to kill the Pandavas, trying to expel Draupadi from the public, refusing to give the Pandavas 5 cities, killing while unarmed in his hands, killing all the Pandavas children while they slept; harassment of Sita's abduction by Ravana - there are countless incidents in previous yugas such as 'dharmasyaglani' and 'abhuthanamadharmasya'.

The above introduction, in a nutshell, gives us an understanding that ‘Dharma’ follows the righteous deeds of man and ‘Adharma’ participates in activities that oppose Dharma.

Dharma, in the later period of our culture and civilization, was called the Vedic Sanatan Dharma as the principles of Dharma were contained in our sacred texts- the Vedas. Sometimes, and, later, our ancestors referred to these good works as Sanatan Dharma because of our belief that our civilization, our culture, our Dharma came into existence indefinitely in a cycle of eternal - eternal.

Therefore, we, the descendants of the people from the time of King Bharat, and before him, according to our gotra, the descendants of wise men such as Bharadwaja, Kashyapa, Bhrigu, Atria, Kanva, Shampayana; we have forgotten about our Dharma whether it is Vedic or Sanatan and we call ourselves 'Hindus' and follow a religion called 'Hinduism'.

Significance of Navaratri

Why we celebrate Navratri?

Navratri is a nine-night devotional service dedicated to the worship of Durga Mata (Nav Ratri literally means 9 nights). Durga Mata, like Sati Mata and Parvati Mata, is a manifestation of the divine, Adi Shakti the wife of God Shiva. Other names for this form of divine energy are Devi and Mata. God is presented in Hinduism as a combination of two aspects: The transcendental aspect is presented as the masculine principle and the dynamic aspect is presented as the feminine principle. The transcendent side of God is static, the dynamic side is mobile and consists of energy. Shakti is the executive force. The force that sets creation in motion. The transcendent is pure consciousness. Durga Mata is considered the "Goddess of war".

Durga Mata has fought an intense battle with the invincible demon Mahishasura for 9 days. On a ninth day, she beheaded the demon, so that peace reigned. Navratri is celebrated twice a year, the first period is in the month of March / April and the second period is in the month of September / October. These dates differ per year because they are determined by the Lunar calendar. During the nine nights of devotional service, the nine manifestations of Durga Mata are honoured. Day 1 On the first day, Durga Mata is worshipped in the form of Shailputri. In the world we find ourselves in, materialism and success are at the centre. This ultimately also leads to fear of failure and frustration. Shailputri therefore also creates a sense of satisfaction. Day 2 The second day is dedicated to Devi Brahmacharini, this destroys the ignorance of the devout and promotes spiritual wisdom. In other words, the inner is stabilized. Day 3 On the third day, Chandraghanta is honoured to come to self-understanding; this is an important part of being able to banish the negative in yourself. Day 4 The fourth day is devoted to Kushmanda; through her blessing, it is possible to grow spiritually. Day 5 The fifth day is dedicated to the worship of Skanda Mata. It destroys pain and suffering in the devout. The suffering is caused by our attachment to the earthiest existence. Day 6 On the sixth day, Devi Katyayani is revered, by receiving her blessing, the domestic happiness will greatly increase and the happiness between the devout and his / her neighbours. Solidarity and generosity are thus strongly developed. Day 7 The seventh day is a day on which Ma Kali is worshipped, She destroys the negative, including demons and the like in the world and in the universe. Day 8 On this eighth day, Devi Maha Gauri is worshipped, she embodies the Vedas and other sacred scriptures. Receiving her blessing makes it possible to apply the essentials of the sacred scriptures in our lives. This allows one to do the right thing. Day 9 Siddhidatri is worshipped on the last day of Navratri; on this day Adi Shakti will bless her devotees with higher wisdom and awareness. In recent days, Adi Shakti has been worshipped in various manifestations. As soon as we enter the higher consciousness, It transcends into its transcendent form, the pure consciousness. So during Navratri people actually worship Adi Shakti, the source of all energy. By worshipping Her, we pray that She would purify our lives and bring us health, joy, peace and well-being. The worship of the Devis during the nine days consists of singing bhajans, songs of praise to the Devis, offering prasad, chanting mantras, meditating and praying for personal wishes. All this is to purify the mind of the devotee and thereby prepare him for spiritual growth.