Nagas', the main attraction in Ardh Kumbh

Ardh Kumbh Nagar, Jan 15 (UNI) Owing to their outlandish life style and weird behavioural traits, the Naga sadhus are drawing the maximum attention of pilgrims, including foreign tourists,attending the first Ardh Kumbh of the millennium.

The presence of Naga sadhus during the march to Shahi Snan(Royal Bathing) at Sangam today was the most eye catching thing for million of pilgrims and kalpawasi, residing in the Mela area.

Even as they are part of almost every akhara but Joona akhara has the maximum number of Nagas in their fold.

Naga sadhus or Naga baba as they are commonly known have aroused lot of curiousity due to their appearance and bizzare activities.

Despite the mercury in single digit, they reamin stark naked with their unkempt knotty long hair and their bodies smeared with vibhuti (ash).

There was a time when the general public and the media could not dare to interact with them or take their photographs as they used to resist the presence of outsiders during the Shahi Snan. But now, they have become more tolerant and worldlywise.

Their abodes, whether they are in transit like at the ongoing Ardh Kumbh Mela or the permanent hermitage known as Akharas from where they are called as Akhara Sadhus.

These Akhara Sadhus, known for their unworldly ways like moving around unclad, weird long hair tied over the head and above all practicing or performing activities and rituals in the most unconventional manner, enjoy life in their own style.

Naga Baba Toofangiri, performing Yogasanas astride a horse, attracted a huge crowd on the first day of Mela on January 3. Other Nagas also got themselves engaged in strange antics to attract people's attention.

Life at an Akhara is a sharp contrast of colour and austerities.

One can find a Sadhu wearing 11,000 Rudraksha beads or piercing his toungue or making a 'Sheershasan'- a Yoga excercise in which the person stands upside down with head of the ground and feet upwards.Baba Vishwanath Giri who wears 11,000 Rudraksh beads claims to have attained the lord Shiva form.

Some will say they have come from the Himalayas and survive on herbs only while some would say they eat once in a week.

Another common sight at the Akhara is that a large number of Naga Sadhus smoking Chilum (known as pot among drug addicts) of bhang and the narcotic marijuana apart from most unusual forms of rituals. All these they contend are the routes to attain Nirvana and realise the apex of spirituality.

Then these Nagas are seen in plenty only on such occasions like the Ardh Kumbh Mela, congregation of millions of Hindus once in six years. The Hindus drawn from different parts of India and abroad as well visit the Ardh Kumbh and the the presence of Naga babas is just another manifestation of India's diversity.

UNI