Female Naga Sadhus – Understanding Their Mysterious World

The beginning of 2025 marks the start of the world’s largest Sanatani festival, the Kumbh Mela. It is expected that around 400 million people will gather at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj for this grand religious event. People come to the Kumbh to witness various saints and seek their blessings. In Sanatan Dharma, receiving blessings from saints is considered highly auspicious. Naga Sadhus, in particular, are the center of attraction during the Kumbh Mela.

The concept of the Kumbh cannot be imagined without the Naga Sadhus. The life of a Naga Sadhu is very different from that of regular saints. Just like the male Naga Sadhus, there are also female Naga Sadhus at the Kumbh, who dedicate their lives entirely to God. Let’s learn about some special aspects of the life of female Naga Sadhus.

Life of a Female Naga Sadhu is Challenging

The mysterious world of Naga Sadhus attracts everyone’s attention. The life of a female Naga Sadhu is unique and different. These Naga Sadhus stay away from household life and chant the name of Lord Shiva throughout the day. Their day begins with penance and ends with the remembrance of God’s name before rest. They are not concerned with the lives of ordinary people, but they always harbor affection for them.

Who Makes One a Naga Sadhu?

After becoming a female Naga Sadhu, people address them as ‘Mataji’ or ‘Didiji.’ These women live in the Mai Bada, which, after being expanded, is called the Dashnam Sannyasini Akhada. It is important to note that Naga does not mean living without clothes. Naga is a title among saints. Among the saints, there are Vaishnavs, who worship Lord Vishnu, Shaivs, who worship Lord Shiva, and the Udasin sect. Naga Sadhus come from these three sects.

How One Becomes a Female Naga Sadhu

The process of becoming a female Naga Sadhu is as difficult as their life. To become a Naga Sadhu or Sannyasini, a woman has to undergo a rigorous test. She must follow celibacy for over ten years, without consuming spicy food. In order to become a Naga Sadhu, a woman has to convince her guru that she is worthy of this path and is completely dedicated to God.

After this, the guru grants her permission to become a Naga Sadhu. Once she becomes a Naga Sadhu, she frees herself from any relationships and dedicates her life solely to worship. Before becoming a Naga Sadhu, she has to undergo tonsuring (head shaving). The guru first learns about her past life before she begins the process. She must perform her pind-daan (ritual offering) while still alive before proceeding to tonsure.

Full Respect in the Akhada

After these rituals, the woman is bathed in the river. The female Naga Sadhu spends her day chanting the name of God, and in the early hours of the morning, she performs her prayers. In the evening, she often prays to Lord Dattatreya. After lunch, she chants Lord Shiva’s name. In the Akhada, female Naga Sadhus are given full respect.

During the Kumbh Mela, female Sadhus, along with male Naga Sadhus, participate in the royal bath. However, the female Naga Sadhus bathe in the river after the male Naga Sadhus have finished. Female Naga Sadhus in the Akhada are called Mai, Avadhutani, or Nagin. However, Mai or Nagin are not chosen for any prominent position in the Akhada.