The lineage of Mahanirvani Akhada

Incarnations in the lineage of Mahānirvaṇi Akhāḍā BHAGAVĀN ŚRĪ KṚṢNA (22nd Incarnation or Avatār) The most celebrated and revered, Poorna Avatar – complete incarnation – Bhagavan Sri Kṛṣna belongs to the lineage of the Mahānirvaṇi Akhāḍā. Over 5000 years...

Naga Sadhus (Ascetic Warriors)

Life of the Nāgā Sādhus (Ascetic Warriors) Nāgā Sādhus of the Mahānirvaṇi Akhāḍā (top) Nāgā Sādhus at Kumbh mela celebrating; (bottom) female Nāgā Sādhvis on their way to the ritualistic bath (snan) at the Kumbh Mela. Martialism has been associated with monastic...

Rituals, Yogic Feats, And Austerities

The highlight event of the Kumbh Mela is the Shahi Snan – Royal bath. It is the ritualistic dip in the waters of the sacred river flowing in the holy city where the Kumbh Mela is being held. It is the Kshipra in Ujjain, the Sangam (confluence of Ganga, Yamuna...

Peshwai and flag-hoisting

Before the beginning of the Kumbh Mela, the various Akharas enter the city in a ceremonial procession known as peshwai, sometimes also called praveshai. The peshwai is an occasion for residents of the city and tirthayatris (visiting pilgrims) to welcome the Akhara...

History of The Kumbh Mela

Puranic History of the Kumbh Mela festival – the largest gathering of humanity in the world Following are extracts from the narration of the story of “the Churning of the Milky Ocean” by His Divine Holiness Bhagavan Nithyananda Paramashivam on 4 Aug 2007: “It...

Mahanirvani And Its Structure

Background of the Mahanirvani Akhāḍā Akhāḍās (also called Akharas) form the core body of the Hindu tradition. They are the oldest and largest Apex body of Hinduism. As of now at least 1 million dedicated Sādhus (saints) live under the Akhada Parishad, which is the...