100 Naga Sadhvis From Nepal te take Holy Dip on April 22

Ujjain, April 20, 2004: More than 100 Mais or Naga Sadhvis have come all the way from Nepal to take the holy dip in river Kshipra during the Shahi Snan in Ujjain on April 22.
The Maiwada Akhara adjoining the Naga Babas Akhara in the fair area has added a lot of color. Most of the Naga Sadhvis are around 40 years of age and above, while some are below the age of 20.


The group flew to Indore via New Delhi8 before reaching the Smihastha Mela last week.

According to Mai Heera Giri, who is the leader of the Nepalese woman's group, they would join the Naga Babas in the Snan on April 22. When asked how many times she had visited the Simhastha, she replied that this was the fourth Simhastha Mela that she was attending and added that the scene had considerably from her first trip.

Mai Heera Giri getting ready for the evening pooja at her tent inside the Mai Akhara.


When asked as to why she became a Sadhvi, Mai Heera Giri said that most of the Sadhvis back home in Nepal belonged to affluent families and had become Mais aftre facing a lot of personal problems.
As for herself, she said that since she was born to her father's first wife, his second wife threw her out of the house. Around that time she met a Naga Baba in the Himalayas and decided to become a Mai.
Another Mai, Sona, said that she could not tolerate her husband having an affair with another woman and thus she opted to become Mai. With a smile she said that she is very happy now as she had the opportunity to serve the Hindu community. He statement is also endorsed by Mai Heera Giri.
When asked whether Mais smoked grass, she said that it was not a regular habit, but they do smoke occasionally to remain in a 'happy mood'.

The Nepal Mais along with their counterparts from India bath a Sadhu which they say is a divine blessing as they have adopted these sadhus as their gurus.
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