Faithful Women

These pictures of Indian Hindu woman show the religious side of them. They were captured by me during my visits for the Maha Kumbh Mela at the Mahakaleshwar temple near the river Kshipra at Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh in 2004. The Hindu woman flocked in large numbers to drench themselves with the holy water, which takes place once in twelve years. Apart from the Indian Hindu Woman they were some foreigners too.


A elderly lady and a sadhvi from orrisa performs the aarti on the banks of the river kshipra in Ujjain on the first Shahi Snan at Simhastha Maha Kumbh Mela.



Hindu ladies take a holy dip at Kshipra river on the eve of the beginning for the holy month at the Simhastha in Ujjain.






A local woman pushes other Hindu woman to the Kshipra River in her push cart for rupees 10 per person, (left) even as a couple take a dip at the river kshipra in the foreground of a partly submerged shivling and nandhi in Ujjain. Thousands of Hindus have already started to take the holy dip to avoid the huge gathering during the holy month of Simhastha alos know as the Maha Kumbh Mela.

Male family members hold on to a lady claiming to be possessed by ghosts even as a pundit try's to perform a pooja to route out the evil spirit at the Asha Ram Bapu Akhara (left), as a Hindu Devout pray in front of the more than 1.8 corer mini clay Shiv lings which was made by the devotees attending the Simhastha Maha Kumbh Mela in Ujjain.

Hindu devotees offering their prayers on the banks of river Kshipra during the first shahi snan in the month long Simhastha Maha Kumbh Mela in Ujjainnear the Mahakaleshwara Temple.




A Hindu Devotee silhouetted against the sun rays from the river Kshipra at Ujjain while she washes her clothes from the holy water, (left) as another woman pours the holy water to seek the blessings of the Sun god during the Holy month of the Maha Kumbh Mela in the once in 12 years Simhastha.



A lady walks back to the banks of river Kshipra after taking a dip on the eve of the beginning of the holy month (top left) A Hindu devout seen offering her prayers to the sun god on the banks of river Kshipra on the first shahi snan (top) and woman volunteers of a Hindu group seen with caps showing the anti cow slaughter movement of the state government of Madhya Pradesh in Ujjain during the Month long Simhastha Maha Kumbh Mela.


Artist From England seen sketching the Simhastha Camp area in Ujjain at the month long Kumbh Mela from one of the Akhara (left) as a Japnese lady chats with a Indian sadhu at an akhara (right). The Kumbh mela is an huge International attraction in which hundreds of foreign tourist come over to India to witness the Indian religious ethos.

A Japanese woman along with her friend from Brazil who did not want to give their names pray to the sun god with both their palms locked into one on the banks of the river Kshipra (left) as another woman from Germany enjoys her holy bath with the holy water in the river Kshipra during the holy month of Maha Kumbh Mela at Ujjain in 2004.

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Pilot Baba against ban on Cow Slaughter

Ujjain, April 27, 2004: Pilot Baba, the 56 year old ascetic who once flew fighter aircraft, is now a staunch believer of 'Yog Dharma'. He is all for organizations that are trying to protect Hinduism, but dislikes their approach and agenda.
Speaking exclusively to the Hindustan times from his makeshift tented palace, which boasts of all comforts of a millionaire's home, pilot Baba dwelt at length on various issues ranging from politics to the present day scenario for Hindus.

ON BEING A GODMAN
"My success is due to my practice of Yog Dharma. I preach non-violence and brotherhood among all the religions of the world".

ON CHRISTIANITY
"I Love Jesus Christ and the verses in the Bible, but dislikes the Christian community because they force people to convert. No religious book min the world teaches anyone to force anybody or bribe anybody to change their religion".

ON HINDU ORGANIZATIONS
" The Rashtriya Swayamevak Sangh (RSS) and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) are good organizations with extremely good man-power for promoting Hindu Dharma, but their agenda against other religions and communities is dangerous for mankind".

ON BECOMING A SADHU
"I hated taking orders from my superiors in the Indian Air Force hence i quit in 1974 to take up sainthood".

ON COW SLAUGHTER
"While most Christian countries in the west and east run their economy on the cow, we are demanding ban on cow slaughter. This is nothing, but a political issue. It has nothing to do with religious feelings. Banning of cow slaughter would be a good idea only if these organizations also press for the ban on chicken slaughter and goat slaughter that members of the Hindu community also consume in large quantity".

ON RAM TEMPLE
"If the political will had been there, the Ram temple could have been built within 24 hours. The heads of the two warring communities should sit together and sort out all their differences. All political parties want to keep the issue alive, so that they can use it to come back to power".

ON SOPS TO MINORITIES
"Most of the promises of the NDA Government would fail to materialize, just like the Ram temple at Ayodhya had failed to materialize despite the promises of the Vajpayee Government. They have promised the Muslims jobs in these elections, but they will fail yet again to fulfill this promise," he says with a smile.


Yog Mata Keiko Aikawa from Japan from the Pilot Baba Camp seen blessing her disciples during her public darshan in Ujjain on Wednesday. she took to becoming a Hindu Sadhvi 15 years ago when she met Pilot Baba in the Himalayas during her trip to India as an tourist.
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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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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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Christian Missionaries arrive in Ujjain to serve Hindu Holy men

Ujjain, April 4, 2004: A group of Christian missionaries has arrived in this holy town of Ujjain to serve the Hindu hole men and pilgrims who have descended here to take part in the month-long Simhastha Mela (fair). The missionaries belonging to the catholic Diocese of Ujjain opened a tented dispensary in Badnagar on Saturday to treat the saints along with the lakhs of pilgrims who may need medical treatment due to the extreme heat wave conditions.
" The dispensary will be functioning till the mela gets over on May 4. It will have four doctors, one pharmacist and seven nurses, who will work from 8am to 8pm. " If need arises we will open the dispensary for 24 hours," said Jose. " We will not charge anything from the patients," said Father Joseph K, who managing the dispensary".
" Within two days of the opening of the dispensary, we have treated 42 people, " said Doctor Lissy Jose, who is the chief doctor with St Joseph's Hospital in Hoshangabad district and will be staying in Ujjain for the Simhastha Mela for a month.
" We opened the dispensary in order to show our solidarity with people of other religions. Also, we consider other people as our brothers and sisters and we want to serve irrespective of their religion," said Jose.
A totalof four doctors will be workin round the clock in shifts along with seven nurses during this one month. They inagurated their tented structure on Saturday with the Traditional Hindu rituals with sants and sadhus chanting mantras, said Doctor Lissy Jose with a smile and added that this was done keeping in mind the sentiments of the thousands of Hindu saints who have gathered here in Ujjain.

The Missionaries belonging to the Caholic Diocese of Ujjain attend to an Sadhu at the newly opened dispensary at Badnagar on Saturday. This dispensary is to treat saints along with lakhs of pilgrims who may need medical treatment due to the extreme heat wave conditions.
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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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