Nagas Smoke away Rs 75 Cr in 'Ganja' during Simhastha

Ujjain, April 25, 2004: For the 25,000 odd Naga sadhus who are in town to participate in the three Shahi Snans, the Simhastha is full of 'Grass', but not of the green variety - of the 'smoky' variety.
Naga Babas smoking 'grass' (Ganja) is quite common site, but only when one gets really close to the mystics does one realize that crores of rupees change hands during the month long religious fair for procuring 'goods' that would keep them in a happy and pleasurable mood.
It is estimated that during the month long Simhastha the nagas collectively consume 'Ganja', worth about 75 crore.
The Hindustan Times had opportunity to spend time with a few Nagas, spread over eight days, and to get to know how such fine quality 'Ganja' in large quantities is procured.
Each of the Nagas, we learnt, spends a minimum of Rs 15,000on 'Ganja' in the entire duration of the fair. Consuming ganja, they say, keeps them happy and helps them remain aloof from the 'worldly pleasures'.
Ram Giri Maharaj, A Naga sadhu from Mumbai, says that 'grass' is available aplenty in the local market. The dealers have, however, hiked the prices from Rs 250 from 10 grams (one tola) to Rs 350-400 for the same amount, considering the increased demand and the opportunity to make a fast buck.
Ram Giri reveals that most of the 'Bhang' shops in Ujjain deal in 'ganja' and 'afeem' and keep the sadhus well stocked up. However, he lamented, sometimes the dealers even cheat sadhus by passing off 'Doobati' powder as 'Ganja'.

Another Naga, Ganesh Giri Baba, says, we says consume ganja in large quantities to keep our focus away from the outer world and also this helps us curb our sexual desire. Says Somwara Giri Baba, "I spend about Rs 20,000 on 'ganja', during the holy month, and most of the stuff is consumed by bhagats (devotees) who come here to pay their respects to me". He adds, that the devotees are not only given ganja they are also given free meals.

A Mumbai based ganja dealer who is currently camping in Simhastha area, said that this provided them an opportunity to make a fast buck. He said that during this time the sadhus are generally willing to sped a little more than usual on the stuff, which allows the dealers to hike prices.

Most of the ganja supplied in the fair comes from within the State of Madhya Pradesh, said a dealer, adding that on special request they also procure the stuff from other places like Mumbai and Delhi, which is another reason for the hiked prices.
Ram Giri Baba says that on occasion they get their supply from the local police, who after confiscating the stuff from travelers carrying it illegally sell it at cheap rates. He says that this fact is even known to the local administration. He said that at times, after the fair ends and they start to leave, these very cops even arrest the sadhus for the possession of ganja.

A Canadian born sadhvi takes a drag of ganja filled chillum and then laughs at joke in a Akhara at the Simhastha Kumb Mela in 2004.
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Thieves walk away with Naga's Mobil sets

Ujjain, April 26, 2004: If a Naga Sadhu were to tell you that his mobile phone is stolen, your instant reaction might be; how you managed to carry the gizmo in the first place?
However for Baba Ram Giri and Veer Giri who lost mobile phones, theft was a shocking reality. More so, because the suspects are from among the devotees who had thronged to listen religious discourses of the hermits.
Given their clouts, resources and following, losing mobile sets or such sundry belongings is not a big deal for the Sadhus. The theft, nevertheless, reflect on seamy side of the ongoing Simhastha.
Ram Giri said that he lost two mobile phones in the past three weeks at the Simhastha. The thieves, he suspects, came to listen to my religious discourse and walked away with the mobile sets.

Baba Veer Giri, another Naga Sadhu, claims to have lost two radio sets, one mobile phone and Rs 2000 during the Ujjain stay. He also suspects the thieves were from among the devotees.
However, Ram Giri Baba says thieves may take away what ever they want from us but we also have devotees coming with offer to more that make good the losses.
Lesser mortals don't have such good luck though in case fall victim to theft.
Lakshminaryan who had come all the way from Himachal Pradesh with his family was left stranded on the bank of the river Kshipra with only their under garments a week ago. All their belongings were stolen.
They tried to lodge a complain with the local police only to be told that they should have been a little more alert about safety of their goods.
Veer Giri and me footed all their bills and ensured that they reach back home safe adds one of the good Samaritans Ram Giri Baba.




Mahayogi Pilot Baba talks on his mobile to one his is devotees at his Akhada at the Simhastha venue in Ujjain, 2004.




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Muslims to Keep Snakes away from Simhastha

Bhopal, March 29, 2004: This story happened after a friend of mine called up to tell me that some of the members of the Muslim community are heading towards Ujjain to serve the Hindu Sadhus during the one month long Maha Kumbh Mela. Read on .....

The upcoming Smihastha would be some what different as there will be a group of Muslims working closely along with the sadhus at the venue to keep the slippery reptiles away from the Hindus holy month in Ujjain.
The group of four snake charmers who have made these reptiles talk to them for ages will be there at the services of the sadhus. The group led by Hakim Babu Bhai will have a woman snake charmer also along with them to cater to the needs of any woman if bitten by a snake.
The group which is comprised of Hakim Babu Bhai, Hakim Shahid Ali, Kumari Imrana Mukhtar, Ahmed Ali and Rizwan today left for Ujjain to set up their camp alongside the venue and trek the area for the presence of reptile creatures. This is the first time that such a group has been selected to work close to the venue said Hakim Babu Bhai who was very thrilled after he got a positive nod from Simhastha incharge minister Kailash Vijayvergia.
Hakim Shahid Ali says that they are carrying the full medical kit for any kind of reptiles ranging from snakes to scorpions and adds that everything will go off well in Ujjain. They have been entrusted to catch all the snakes in and around the Simhastha venue and also to set up a base camp near Ahkada camp so that in case of snakebite then will be easy to trace and get quick remedy to the concerned patient.
So the Simhastha, which takes place once in 12 years will start with a new look from this time around with even people belonging to another religious community working for the well being of the thousands of Hindus who will throng the holy city of Ujjain.
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