New Delhi: As devotees throng to the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar, an 18-inch tall dreadlocked ‘Naga sadhu’ has turn into a centre of attraction. The dreadlocked holy man, sporting rosary beads has been grabbing eyeballs at the ‘Kumbh Mela’.
Narayan Nand Giri Maharaj, 55, is surrounded by devotees who search his blessings. Nand Giri Maharaj weighs 18 kilograms and isn’t in a position to rise up and even stroll.
He is sorted by his disciple, Umesh. “People seek his blessings and they feel very nice…they click selfies with him, offer prayers,” Umesh was quoted as saying to Reuters.
Many of the ‘sadhus’ belong to monastic orders referred to as Akharas and reside in distant caves, stepping out for the Kumbh Mela, usually held as soon as each three years. Most of those Nagas enter the lifecycle of a ‘sadhu’ of their early teenagers, leaving their households behind and worldly possessions to reply the decision of Shiva, and comply with in his footsteps – devoting their lives in his prayers.
It takes six years of celibate life, 12 years of rigorous prayers to Lord Shiva earlier than the revered title of a Naga is conferred. They immerse themselves in deep meditations, rigorous yoga, studying non secular rituals and scriptures and in search of the very best type of spirituality.
