Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh): Fissures among akharas have come to fore ahead of ‘Prayagraj Mahakumbh’. For the first time ever since Akhara were established in 1768, a head of akhara was expelled by ‘Panch-Parmeshwars’ in an emergency meeting held in Prayagraj on December 16, 2024.
Raghu Muni Das was expelled as Shri Mahan of Paschim (west) Paddat on charges of amassing huge properties in his name and buying a Fortuner car in contravention of Akhara rules. He was replaced by Ram Navmi Das.
Akhara has four heads – North, South, East and West. They head Kumbh or Simhastha arrangements on rotation basis.
As per Akhara rules, a mahant cannot amass property in his name and can only keep Innova Crysta.
Talking to Free Press, Raghu Muni Das on Tuesday said he left Akhara on health grounds. He would not participate in Prayagraj Mahakumbh and stay put in his ashram at Trimbak in Nashi. He refused to comment on his expulsion.
Mahant Shyamdas of Bada Udasin Akhara, Ujjain, too has quit Akhara and shifted to Haridwar.
Nirvani Akhara was founded in 1200. Its head Swami Dharamdas stepped down allowing Murlidhar Das to take charge. The change stems from struggle for dominance in the Prayagraj Mahakumbh, as Murlidhar Das had been given the responsibility of Mahakumbh arrangements.
Soar over the development, Swami Dharamdas, one of the spearheads of Ram Janmbhoomi movement, said, “I was informed that someone wanted to reduce my burden. Hence, I quit the headship.”
“The first and foremost task of a sadhu or sanyasi is to commit himself to devotion of the Almighty and provide guidance to people at large. Sadhu-sanyasi fighting for dominance is akin to a major curse,” he quipped.
Panchdashnam Juna Akhara founded in 1156, is also in news these days. Ever since the death of Mahamadhleshwar Som Giri aka Mahayogi Pilot in Dhirubhai Kokila Ambani Hospital in Mumbai on August 20, 2024, his followers are fighting for control over his properties.
His followers and close relatives have filed FIRs in different states alleging that he was murdered by giving poisonous injections. They have pointed finger of suspicion towards people from Juna Akhara and claimed that the accused were being patronised by top Akhara officials.
However, Akhara spokesman Mahant Narayan Giri said that the hospital certified Pilot Baba’s death as natural. He further said that three years before his death Pilot Baba had willed his properties to three persons in a written will. Hence, the people raising doubts over his death had no right to interference in the affairs of Akhara, he added.
