This is something beyond human limits, something that you might have heard from your grandparents, and something that might have kept popping up on your screens since a few days. You might be wondering what the Sadhu is doing with pots of ice cold water being poured on him? That too in the extreme cold of January. It is the Hath Yoga, a traditional and intensely conscientious practice performed by the Naga Sadhus.
The Prayag Mahakumbh begins from today, a grand spiritual gathering where as many as 60,000 devotees took the holy dip in the sacred confluence of the waters of the Ganges, Yamuna and the Sarasvati. Amidst everything, what stands out grabbing the attention of the masses is the Hath Yoga of the Naga Sadhus. The ritual when performed proves to be a captivating sight for the onlookers. But what is the Hath Yoga and why is it performed? Here are the details.
Hath Yoga
Hath Yoga is specifically prevalent in the seven Shaivite akharas – Juna, Mahanirvani, Niranjani, Aavahan, Anand, Atal and Sri Shambhu Panch Agni. The monks and saints belonging to these Akharas are said to perform the Hath Yoga as a penance for the welfare of humanity. With continuous unbroken Sadhana (meditation) and strong determination of the mental state of mind, a practitioner doesn’t feel any kind of physical effect or pain. The position maintained becomes permanent, with pain subsiding, if any. So many examples of the Hath yogis have been observed during the Kumbh only, where they have been standing for years or their hand raised up in the sky. And the one which we have talked about in the beginning, bathing with ice cold waters in the chilling colds of the Sangam.
So basically, the Hath Yogis have persisted the pain for years and have inbuilt their bodies facing weather and other susceptible changes without any effect. But this might cause some deformities in the body parts.
The Naga Sadhus
The most austere, rather ascetic of all, the Naga Sadhus. They belong to various akharas (monastic organisations) that are established as per the Hindu traditions. The Naga Sadhus are known to be Lord Shiva’s greatest devotees who practice asceticism to an extreme with some severe spiritual traditions that continues stringently for years and years.
The Naga Sadhus live in the Himalayas away from all the material comforts of life, in sacrifice, penance and devotion. They are different from other saints, both in their appearance and practice. The Naga Sadhus are only seen among the common people during the Kumbh. They carry tridents and rudraksh beads with themselves, wear animal skins and cover their bodies in ash. Naga Sadhus have long been considered as the protectors of Hinduism with some extraordinary powers over the other individuals.
During the Mahakumbh Mela, the Naga Sadhus have first bathing rights on the days of Shahi Snan before the other devotees. They carry large processions along with chants and drums, before they take the holy bath at dawn. The presence of the Naga Sadhus at the Mahakumbh is a representation of India’s religious identity, faith and the rich culture incorporated in the subcontinent.
Hath yoga in the Mahakumbh 2025
At the Prayag Mahakumbh 2025, Naga Sadhu Pramod Giri Maharaj of Atal Akhara garnered immense attention with his 4:00 am morning ritual. He performs an extraordinary bath with pots of ice cold water poured on him in the extreme chilling cold of January. On the first day of this rigorous ritual, 51 pots of water were gushed out on him. This quantity was increased gradually, two on some days, three on some others. Until recently, 61 pots of water were poured on the Sadhu. On the 21st day, there will be a completion with 108 pots of water.
After the bath, Pramod Giri Maharaj smears his body with ash showing renunciation, after which he sits in meditation besides the fire. Maharaj shares he is undertaking the practice for the betterment of humanity and society. About his Hath Yoga ritual Maharaj said, “We undertake this practice for the welfare of humanity and society with no selfish motive behind it. With a mala in one hand and a bhala in the other, we are ready to stand for Sanatan Dharma whenever necessary. This is my ninth year of performing the Hath yoga practice, and as long as the grace of Guru Maharaj is with us, we will continue doing it.”
Maharaj also laid emphasis on how Naga Sadhus have been deeply uprooted into spiritual discipline and repentence. ‘Tapasya’ has been their purpose since ages. The 41- day ritual has been reduced to 21 days in the Mahakumbh following the time and other constraints. The Nagas are scheduled to have their first Shahi Snan on January 14th.
Other instances of Hath Yoga
Mahant Radhe Puri of Juna Akhara has his right hand raised since 2011, as a wish for the welfare of society and the world. His hand is now shrunken and partly deformed, looking like a stick. Since 2011 the hand is raised only, cannot be bent and stays the same.
A Hath yogi, Naga Swami Bhagirathi Giri known as Naga Baba Khandeshwari of Atal Akhara is standing on one leg only, since three years. He is leaning on a swing, sleeps on it only. His penance will continue until terrorism and atrocities against women do not end. The yogi had performed Khandeshwari tapasya before also for 12 years, he began again after a break of two years.
A Naga Sadhu Mahant Mahakal Giri from the Aawahan Akhara has his left hand raised for nine years now. It is his tapasya for global welfare, world peace and the protection of the Sanatan Dharma. The hand is crooked with tangling fingers and resembles to a dried piece of wood.
The various practices of devotion and spiritualism prevail in India. They have been captivating attention of the pilgrims visiting the Mahakumbh, as their own determined efforts towards the society’s welfare.
