More And More Sikh Followers Are Taking Holy Dips At Mahakumbh. Here’s Why
Many Sikh followers are visiting akharas at the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj and taking holy dips at the sangam. Three akharas- Nirmla Akhara, Bada (large) Udaseen Akhara and Naya (new) Udaseen Akhara have seen participation from Sikh followers as the akharas follow the teachings of Guru Nanak and are guided by the Guru Granth Sahib.
Which akharas have seen Sikh participation?
The Udaseen Akhara was established by Baba Sri Chand, son of Guru Nanak Dev. The Nirmala Akhara has centres in various parts of Punjab. This year, Harnam Singh Dhumma, chief of Damdami Taksal, an organisation that teaches Sikh faith, visited the Maha Kumbh to take a holy dip. He said that certain Sikh traditions participate in the Kumbh including those belonging to the Udaseen and Nirmala Akharas.
He said that Damdami Taksal holds significant value and has no animosity towards any religion. Although the Sikh Youth Federation (Bhindranwale) objected to his visit, Harnam Singh Dhumma said that Sikh gurus had visited Prayagraj and Kashi.
Navtej Singh Namdhari from the Namdhari sect of Sikhs said as per the Indian Express, “Guru Gobind Singhji had sent Sikhs to Kashi to study and they were called Nirmale-the highly educated Sikhs. So Nirmala Akhara represents those followers.” The Namdhari sect had also set up a shivir at the Mahakumbh, he said.
The Sikhs also organised a langar at the Mahakumbh from January 13 to February 6. Davinder Shastri, the Haridwar-based head of the Nirmala Akhara, said, “The Nirmala Akhara is connected to the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Guru Gobind Singh Ji. All those who believe in this akhara came to the Mahakumbh from across the country. Sikhs were in large numbers, and people from the Hindu religion also follow the akhara. The Mahakumbh is still ongoing, so followers must be taking holy dips even now. We returned on February 3.”
