Naga sadhus and the tunnel underwater

10-12-2004, 10:21 AM

Dear spiritualisers,
They are feared due to their matted hair and their
unusual appearance. And their role in the spiritual world is always
shrouded in mystery.

The Naga baba (naked warrior mendicant) belongs to a sect that has
no material bonding, lives a rigorous life and performs rituals to
appease Lord Shiva -- the divine destroyer.

They are mostly smeared with ash, carry traditional weapons like the
trident, smoke cannabis or hashish and can perform incredible feats
and yoga asanas.

These sadhus every year flock from various parts of the country to
the foot of the Girnar mountain at Junagadh district in Gujarat to
celebrate Mahashivratri and take the much awaited dip at the famous
Mrigi Kund (pond) at the Lord Shiva temple.

Many perform yagnas (offerings) like the Mrityunjay Yagna, which is
believed to have powers to bring back the dead.

Legend has it that three sadhus out of many who take a dip at the
Mrigi Kund vanish into the waters.

Unfazed by the changing times, however, the Naga sadhus believe in
the spiritual powers of the kund. According to a legend Lord Shiva
himself had taken bath here and the water, which has sulphur, is a
sign of his divine presence.

Gopalgiri, a Naga sadhu from Himachal who has been visiting Junagadh
for past 20 years, says the mystery surrounding the kund is one of
the most known ones. "Legend also has it that there is a secret
tunnel under water from where they go to another place," Gopalgiri
said.

"No ordinary man can try to unearth this secret route by trying to
take a dip. Only a true sadhu can detect it and go past it if his
calling has arrived," he added with caution.

Unperturbed by changing times the Naga sadhus maintain that it is
due to their extreme penance under harsh conditions that they are
able to ward off many evils in the world.

Nagas like Acharya Lalchadi Giri from Uttaranchal say they are drawn
to the Mahashivratri celebrations by the mystical power of Lord
Shiva.
I personally had the good fortune of meeting genuine naga sadhus
when I was i Kashi.Many naga sadhus are fraudsters.
Yours yogically,
DATTU