Maha Kumbh: What is the process of becoming a Naga Sadhu, which vein is pulled, what is the age

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Mahakumbh 2025: Naga sadhus are made on a large scale during Kumbh. However, before this, these young sadhus have to go through many difficult tests. There is also a fixed age to become a Naga sadhu.

Around 800 sanyasis will become Naga sadhus in this Maha Kumbh. Sanyasis are made Naga sadhus only on the occasion of Kumbh. The last process of becoming a Naga sadhu is Angtod. This is a difficult and special process, which is considered an important step towards becoming a Naga sadhu. This process demands a lot of sacrifice and penance in a person's life. What is Angtod, after which one can become a Naga sadhu?

This is a difficult and special type of process, which is considered an important step towards becoming a Naga Sadhu. This process demands a lot of sacrifice and penance in a person's life. The literal meaning of Angtod is "breaking the limbs" but it is different in the case of becoming a Naga Sadhu.

However, the Angtod process here does not mean breaking the body parts. Here it means completely freeing oneself from worldly bondages. Through this process, a person completely detaches himself from worldly comforts, family, and material things. He dedicates his entire life to spiritual practice and penance.

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The following are the main steps in the process of Angtod:

Complete renunciation – In the process of becoming a sadhu, a person has to free himself from his family, property, and all worldly bonds. This is a kind of spiritual renunciation.

Initiation – To become a Naga Sadhu, one has to take initiation from the Guru. During initiation, the person is given knowledge of certain types of methods and mantras.

Penance and difficult sadhana – After Angtod, the sadhu has to do difficult penance. It includes difficult yoga, meditation, and sadhana, which makes a person pure and powerful in his soul.

Unbroken celibacy – To become a Naga Sadhu, it is mandatory to follow celibacy throughout life. This is an important part of their sadhana.

Observance of nudity – After becoming a Naga Sadhu, the sadhu does not wear any clothes on his body. They follow complete nudity. This is a symbol of being free from worldly bonds and physical clothes.

Yes, in the Angtod ritual, a vein of his genitals is pulled. The sadhak becomes impotent. After this, everyone goes for the royal bath. As soon as they take a dip, they become Naga Sadhus.

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Through the process of Angtod, the person attains a higher spiritual state. He continues his sadhana as a Naga Sadhu. This process is very difficult. Only those people who have deep faith and determination can complete it successfully.

Where did they originate from?

The origin of Naga Sadhus is usually associated with Adi Shankaracharya. Adi Shankaracharya (8th century) established four major monasteries (peethas) to organize Sanatan Dharma and reestablish the Vedic religion. He formed various sadhu sects to protect the religion, one of which was that of Naga Sadhus. Naga Sadhus were trained as warrior sadhus to protect religion and culture.

However, the tradition of Naga Sadhus is also mentioned in the Vedas, Puranas and Epics, which makes it clear that this tradition must have existed even before Shankaracharya.

Why are Naga Sadhus made only during the Kumbh Mela?

There are many historical, religious, and spiritual reasons behind the tradition of initiating and making Naga Sadhus during the Kumbh Mela. Lakhs of Sadhus, Saints and devotees gather during the Kumbh Mela. This is an important time for Sadhus and various Akharas when they initiate their followers. This is considered an ideal time for the initiation of Naga Sadhus as there is a large gathering of Sadhus, Saints and Gurus.

What is the age to become a Naga?

Usually, the age to become a Naga is 17 to 19 years. It has three stages- Mahapurush, Avdhoot and Digambar. However, before this, there is a prestige i.e. a testing period. Whoever comes to the Akhara to become a Naga Sadhu is first turned away. Even then if he does not agree, then the Akhara investigates him thoroughly.

A criminal record is also checked

People from the Akhara go to the candidate's house. They tell the family that their son wants to become a Naga. If the family agrees, then the criminal record of the candidate is checked.

Initially,

The person who wants to become a Naga has to serve the Guru for two-three years. Then, the person who wants to become a Naga has to make a Guru. He has to live in an Akhara and serve for three years. Their work is to cook food for the senior sannyasis, clean their places, do sadhana and study the scriptures.

So he is sent back home and

he eats only one meal a day. He learns to control his sexual desires, sleep and hunger. During this time, it is observed whether he is getting involved in worldly affairs or not. Whether he is missing his family or not. If any candidate is found to be straying, he is sent home.

PC:News18