Notably, the Naga Sadhus of the Akharas are known for their rigorous discipline and unwavering commitment to their faith. Naga Sadhus live a life devoid of worldly comforts, emphasising sacrifice, penance and religious devotion. Distinct from other saints, Naga Sadhus uphold a unique tradition that sets them apart, including their role as protectors of the faith when needed.
Why Naga Sadhus Do Not Wear Clothes?Naga Sadhus take centre stage during the Kumbh and Maha Kumbh festivals, where their presence sparks widespread curiosity. They are initiated into six of the 13 Shaivite Akharas: Juna, Niranjani, Shri Mahanirvani, Aawahan, Anand and Atal. These ascetics remain unclothed as a symbol of detachment and endure extreme weather conditions year-round. When not participating in major religious events, they retreat to secluded regions such as the Narmada coast, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh for meditation and worship.
CM Yogi Adityanath Reviews Preparations For Mahakumbh In Uttar Pradesh, Assures Completion Of Work By December 10Duties of the AkharasThe Akharas were established by Adi Shankaracharya to safeguard Sanatan Dharma, with a focus on training ascetics capable of wielding weapons when necessary. Naga Sadhus invoke Bhairavi Durga and receive rigorous training in arms. They maintain a disciplined lifestyle, consuming only one satvik meal every 24 hours and are limited to begging for alms at seven houses in a day.
Naga sadhus queue to have a dip in the waters of the Ganges river during the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar. (Image: Reuters)Diverse Backgrounds Among Naga SadhusThough education holds little significance in the Naga tradition, many highly educated individuals have taken initiation. Notable examples include engineers, doctors and scholars with advanced degrees. Members such as Omkar Giri (MTech) and Devanand Giri (PhD) exemplify the wide-ranging educational backgrounds among Naga sanyasis across various Akharas.: Maha Kumbh 2025: With 67 Crore Budget, Fire Department To Deploy Robots For Pilgrims’ Safety
Ritual Adornments and SymbolismNaga Sadhus adorn themselves with ashes, Rudraksha beads, weapons and traditional attire such as animal skins and iron rings. These symbolic elements reflect their renunciation and spiritual focus. The numbers of Naga Sadhus vary by Akhara, with Juna having approximately 40,000, Niranjani around 20,000 and others holding thousands more.Young Guardians of Akharas
Young aspirants are preferred to ensure the martial readiness of the Akharas. Elderly aspirants who wish to join are often assigned administrative roles and permitted to wear clothing after the Kumbh festival. According to Shrimahant Ravindra Puri, President of the All India Akhada Parishad, these ascetics embody the spirit of warriors willing to protect their faith at all costs.