Now, foreigners becoming women Nagas at Kumbh
Kumbh Nagar, Allahabad, Jan 29 : One of the world's biggest religious congregation, Maha Kumbh, has a lot many interesting things to explore and follow, especially for foreigners
Foreign tourists are enthralled by the Kumbh history, its beliefs and relevance. This Kumbh season, more foreign women, specially from Europe, are taking ordination to become Naga Sadhus
Despite knowing the difficulties and challenges in leading the life of a 'Sadhvi', the women are preferring to lead the life of a Naga
So far, widows in Nepal opt to lead the life of a Naga as their re-marriage is seen as a 'bad idea' there
This is the first time in Kumbh history that women Naga are having their separate 'akharas', that too with full security and other facilities
So far, they were spending their lives under limited facilities and under the directions of the male Sadhus
Korine Liyre of France, who has recently become a Naga Sadhu, says her new name is Divya Giri. Divya, who took 'diksha' of a Sadhu in 2004, tells she has completed her medical technician study from New Delhi. The women Nagas should have their own different identity, she said
One-fourth of the women in 'Juna Sanyasin Akhara' hail from Nepal
They are not allowed to remain unclothed like male Naga Sadhus
General secretary of Juna Akhara, Hari Giri said ''the women were not allowed to remain naked after becoming Nagas, as it is against our culture.'' Hence, they are found draped in a piece of cloth.