As part of the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, many devotees and saints have gathered at the holy site to take the first shahi snan, a royal bath at Triveni Sangam. But it’s the Naga Sadhus who get the foremost chance to bathe in the sacred waters, followed by the general public at the Maha Kumbh. Naga Sadhus are Lord Shiva’s disciples who undergo extreme penance for complete devotion towards him. These esteemed monks make the ritual more pious by taking the plunge before any other pilgrims. But did you know that Naga Sadhvis also exist?
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Who are the Naga Sadhvis?
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Amidst high-spirited, devoted, and captivating Naga Sadhus, there exists a group of overlooked Naga Sadhvis as well. These female Hindu ascetics share an equal faith in Lord Shiva but their silent devotion often gets neglected. This further creates a mystery to their form of spirituality. So, what do Naga Sadhvis do?
Similar to their male counterparts, Naga Sadhvis forsake their material life to walk on the path of spiritual enlightenment. They represent independence as they refuse to be confined to the domestic corners of society. This reflects their courage to withstand the harshest climate which is only expected from the male ascetics of a patriarchial society. How are Naga Sadhvis different from Naga Sadhus?
The distinct personalities of Naga Sadhvis

Unlike the sadhus who avoid clothing entirely, Naga Sadhvis wear unstitched saffron cloth. Some also cover their bare hands and face with ash to symbolise their separation from worldly life. Naga Sadhvis adorn themselves with beautiful tilaks, sandalwood, and marigold garlands. They also wear rudraksh malas around their neck and hands. The beads of these malas are made powerful through mantras to enhance the aura of both Naga Sadhus and Naga Sadhvis. The ascetics’ hair remains braided in the form of dreadlocks. These female ascetics keep their lives secret as they indulge more in yoga and meditation.
The journey of becoming a Naga Sadhvi

To completely devote themselves to Lord Shiva, many women opt for the most difficult lifestyles of Naga Sadhvis. The path is almost similar for sadhus and sadhvis and requires years of dedication from both groups. Their journey initially begins with discipline and spiritual training through tapasya. Only through prolonged fasting, celibacy, and meditation, a devotee can take the form of an ascetic. But the most daunting part of this journey is when they have to do their pind daan while still alive. In this ritual, they offer food and water to their departed self and leave their past life as a regular human. This marks their metaphorical rebirth as Naga Sadhu and Naga Sadhvi. The strict practices of penance continue even when they become monks.
The role of Naga Sadhvis in Maha Kumbh Mela

Naga Sadhvis take part in all the rituals of the Maha Kumbh Mela with the same liveliness as Naga Sadhus. They too take amrit snan or shahi snan before the devotees dive in. In this process, they cannot remove their clothing. Naga Sadhvis’ participation in the Maha Kumbh Mela sets the stage for equality. They also inspire other women to free themselves from worldly pursuits. Naga Sadhvis respect the ancient traditions of the event and follow them with utmost devotion. This is how they become spiritual warriors for the women of the community.
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