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n January 25, 2019, The next morning, we
OI went to witness the mentally prepared
Ardh Kumbh in Allahabad. ourselves to enter the
The Ardh Kumbh event freezing waters of the
takes place once every six Holy Ganga. While
years and is the largest reaching the Sangam, the
congregation of pilgrims, difference between the
saints and holy folk. Yamuna and the Ganga
was clearly visible. It is
On the first day, we believed that Saraswati,
went to visit the different the underground river
‘akharas’, places of joins the other two rivers
practice with facilities over here.
for boarding, lodging
and training. We went It was truly a once in a
to the Juna Akhara, the lifetime experience, and
biggest Naga Akhara it certainly rendered a
and Kinnar Akhara, the new perspective to me,
first transgender Akhara. I realised that many
This experience was a Indian customs and
reflection of evolution on traditions are evolving
the traditions over the years. with the times, and it is a
All of us were keen to receive common misconception
Darshan on the highly that we belong to a
organised platform. The rigid community. The
evening flew by meeting Ardh Kumbh was a life-
Nagas and Sadhus, and changing experience.
hearing about their long
tapasya in the cold
mountains.
