The Mahakumbh Mela of 2025 has started from January 13 and will end on Mahashivratri on February 26, 2025. From 26th February till the next Kumbh, you will not see Digambar Sadhu again. After the conclusion of Mahakumbh, Digambara Sadhus return to their respective Akharas.
After Prayagraj, the next Kumbh will be held in Nashik on the banks of river Godavari. Which will be organized in 2027. The last Kumbh Mela was held here in 2015 from July to September. Akharas are located in different parts of India and these Naga Sadhus give meditation, sadhana and religious teachings there. Some Naga Sadhus live at famous pilgrimage sites like Kashi (Varanasi), Haridwar, Rishikesh, Ujjain or Prayagraj.
Where do Digambara Sadhus go after Mahakumbh?
Most of the Naga Sadhus in Kumbh come from two particular Akharas. One Akhara is Mahaparinirvan Akhara of Varanasi and the other is Panch Dashnam Juna Akhara. Naga Sadhus of both these Akharas are part of Kumbh. These sadhus come to Kumbh with a trident in their hands, ashes on their bodies, Rudraksha beads and sometimes animal skins wrapped around their bodies.
The first royal bath of the Kumbh is performed by the Gambar Sadhus and only after that other devotees are allowed to take the Kumbh bath. Naga Sadhus do not remain naked in Digambara form i.e. on other days. Digambara form is not acceptable in the society, that is why these sadhus stay in the ashram after Kumbh wearing Gamchha. Digambara means earth and amber. Naga Sadhus believe that the earth is their bed and amber is their covering. That is why he comes in the form of a Naga to shower the nectar of Kumbh.
After the Kumbh Mela is over..?
When the Kumbh Mela ends, the Digambara sadhus return to their respective Akharas. In these Akharas, Naga Sadhus provide religious education along with meditation. They live an ascetic lifestyle. Many Naga Sadhus go to the Himalayas, forests and other secluded places to perform penance. At the same time, many Naga Sadhus apply Bhabhuta on their bodies and go to the Himalayas to perform penance. Here they perform rigorous penance and survive by eating fruits and flowers.
Why is Mahakumbh Mela organized?
It is believed that when the Sun is in Capricorn and Jupiter is in Taurus, then Maha Kumbh is organized on the sacred banks of Ganga, Yamuna and invisible Saraswati. Haridwar: It is said that when Jupiter is in Aquarius and the Sun is in Aries, Kumbha falls on the banks of Ganga. Nashik: It is believed that when Jupiter and Sun are in Leo, Kumbh is organized on the banks of river Godavari in Nashik. Ujjain: It is said that when Jupiter is in Leo and Sun is in Aries, Kumbh is organized on the banks of Kshipra river in Ujjain.
