The Maha Kumbh 2025 has been grabbing headlines even before it began on 13 January 2025. Media from all across the world have been reporting from ground zero – at the temporary mega city of Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh. This Kumbh is said to occur only once in 144 years and hence is considered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for all Hindus and followers of Hindu Dharma in Bharat and outside.
In the first 5 days of the Maha Kumbh, approximately, 7 crore devotees were said to have taken a dip at the Triveni Sangam. As much as the positives of the Maha Kumbh are getting the limelight, we also see the bane of media attention on the world’s largest peaceful gathering of humans.
The media in Bharat is known for its vulture-like behaviour, chasing behind TRPs with anchors and reporters performing outlandish tricks akin to a circus either at news studios or at the reporting location. In search of stories, several news reporters came across the sadhus camping at Prayagraj for the Kumbh.
One among them who shot to instant fame was the ‘IIT Baba’. He was probably spotted by a Hindi news channel whose reporter was shocked to learn that the sadhu he was talking to was a former aerospace engineer from IIT Bombay. Soon all other news channels went flocking to his tent and created too much hype around him.
Slowly, in the search of “fresher” and “interesting” stories, other news channels and YouTube content creators began disturbing genuine sadhus. A few of them angered by the nature of questions even had to chase away these “pests”. News media reported all kinds of “varieties” of sadhus – all to increase the TRP ratings for their channels.
Amidst this, the IIT baba soon was found to have been expelled from his akhara over his comments?
Again thanks to media attention, this vagabond of sorts who states he is searching for the ultimate truth became famous on Instagram only to be cancelled instantly by the same people who hailed him first. Some news channels even went to such an extent that they hunted down his parents and made the father plead on record for the son to return home!
Here’s another example: A young girl selling something became the object of attention – people started comparing her to Bollywood actresses and what not.
Consumed by the media glare, this girl even went on to remove her Hindu marks from her forehead, changed her attire, and said she was willing to act in Hindi films – Moni Bhonsale became Mona Lisa overnight.
Thanks to the media attention, people were flocking to take pictures of themselves with her. This might end up being a Ranu Mondal 2.0 – remember the destitute lady who became famous after her video went viral and Bollywood music director Himesh Reshammiya gave her a chance to sing in his film.
We all know what happened during her makeover.
Here’s another example that will pain you even more. Kaante Wale Baba, a sadhu who lies on a bed of thorns as a part of his vow or sadhana was harassed by a YouTuber in front of hundreds of prying eyes who did nothing to spare him the discomfort. Most often as people walked past him, they would willingly donate money, moved by their compassion. The Baba, seated quietly, was never seen asking for anything and is said to accept their offerings with humility. This woman who came out of nowhere started shamelessly demanding that he hand over the money donated to him, mocking him by saying, “You’ve taken Sanyas (renunciation)—what do you need money for?” In the video, you can see that the bystanders are also joining in supporting her audacious behaviour.
The Baba, visibly helpless and surrounded by these insensitive individuals, remains silent and nearly in tears, his dignity intact despite the humiliation.
One wonders what we humans achieve by harassing and heckling these sadhus who have quit their loukika way of life and moved into a way of life that is free of bondage.
Given the media glare, many wokes and non-believers also made it a point to make their presence felt at the Kumbh Mela. Here are a few examples where these insensitive wokes managed to irritate the sadhus and get a good “treatment” in return.
A video circulating on social media shows Naga Sadhus and Hindu devotees expressing strong displeasure over individuals displaying posters that labeled the Maha Kumbh fair as “superstition.” The incident reportedly occurred on Makar Sankranti (15th January) at Kumbh Kshetra in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, although the exact date has not been verified.
In the 3-minute video, individuals can be seen holding signs with messages such as “Kumbh is a fair of superstition, it is just an excuse. If you want freedom, then awaken understanding.” The scene unfolded near a bookstall associated with Acharya Prashant, where similar messages were reportedly being announced over a microphone.
The slogans, perceived as anti-Hindu under the guise of promoting rationalism, caught the attention of the Naga Sadhus present. The group became visibly upset upon reading the posters, and in response, the entire setup was dismantled.
Similarly, another viral incident unfolded involving a Naga Sadhu and a YouTuber. The YouTuber, attempting to create content, repeatedly questioned the Sadhu, asking about his initiation into the Sanyasi sect and devotional practices. Initially calm, the Sadhu grew irritated, grabbed his tongs, and chased the YouTuber, prompting the latter to flee, dropping his mic as onlookers laughed. Why has it become important to invade into a sadhu’s privacy and questioning their sadhana?
More recently, an individual dressed as a “Sheikh” got similar thrashings from Sadhus.
On the other side of all this, shraddhalus are going to the Kumbh mela, carrying out the rituals and prayers as always, for decades and centuries. The Kumbh has been happening even before social media came into existence. The devotees are doing their rituals then and now – the only difference between then and now is the unnecessary media glare.
All those going to the Maha Kumbh with the intent of “creating content”, getting “viral” content for their Instagram need to take a step back and rethink. Yes this is a once-in-a-lifetime event but that doesn’t mean one can do whatever one wishes to and hurt others – especially devotees and sadhus who have come there with an intent that cannot match mere mortals.
Respecting their space and shraddha must take precedence over other “engagement-related” activities. Let us all celebrate this mega event as a pious Hindu and ensure that the sacredness is not disrupted.
