MAHAKUMBH NAGAR, Feb 6: The Maha Kumbh is set to officially conclude on February 26, signaling it’s time for the 13 akharas, which embody the spirit of this grand event, to begin their departure. A visible sign of this transition is the lowering of their revered flags.
After the final ‘Amrit Snan’ observed on Basant Panchami this past Monday, the akharas have commenced their departure, marking the occasion with a traditional feast of ‘kadhi pakoda’. The 13 akharas are affiliated with various sects of ‘sanyasis’ (devotees of Lord Shiva), bairagis (followers of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna), and udasins (worshippers of five deities).
On Tuesday, nearly 150 seers from the Bairagi sect’s Panch Nirvani Akhara began their journey home, with approximately 35 remaining. “Once Thakur ji (the deity) is ceremoniously relocated, the ‘dharma dhwaja’ (religious flag) will be lowered,” explained Mahant Raju Das, a representative of Shri Panch Nirvani Ani Akhara, which is linked to Hanuman Garhi in Ayodhya.
The departure of the Naga sanyasis from Juna akhara is set to begin on February 7.
“Our akhara plans to conduct a ‘kadhi pakoda’ feast on February 7, after which the seers will start to loosen the ropes of the ‘dharma dhwaja’ in preparation for their departure,” shared Shri Mahant Narayan Giri, the international spokesperson for Juna akhara, in a statement to PTI.
Following this, they will first journey to Kashi, where they will remain until Mahashivratri. During this time, they will take part in a grand procession, visit Kashi Vishwanath, engage in ‘Masane Ki Holi’ (a distinctive Holi celebration among ascetics), and partake in a ritual dip in the Ganga before proceeding to their respective monasteries and ashrams.
Similarly, sadhus from the Awahan and Panch Agni akharas are also planning processions in Kashmir before returning to their origins, Giri added.
As for the Bairagi akharas, some will journey to Ayodhya while others will make their way to Vrindavan. Meanwhile, members of the Udasin and Nirmal akharas are headed towards Punjab, particularly Anandpur Sahib.
According to Giri, after Basant Panchami, the holy dips during Maghi Purnima and Mahashivaratri at the Maha Kumbh are primarily for general devotees, and the seers of the akharas typically do not remain for these events. (PTI)
