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A significant number of those appointed were aged 60 years or above.
Akhara representatives said many elderly seers remained largely confined to their ashrams and discourses and were less active in remote and socially disadvantaged areas. The move comes against the backdrop of the traditional practice of appointing influential and learned seers as Mahamandaleshwars without giving age a specific weightage.
Tribal and hilly regions continue to face challenges related to education, healthcare and employment, making them vulnerable to religious conversion, according to the akharas. All India Akhara Parishad president and Mansa Devi Temple Trust chief Mahant Ravindra Puri said, “Until now, age was not considered while giving the Mahamandaleshwar title. Younger Mahamandaleshwars are expected to undertake greater outreach in such areas and strengthen grassroots religious and social initiatives. Learned and influential saints were selected. Since elderly seers are less active in backward, hilly and tribal areas, the decision has been taken to give preference to learned young seers. This will help check religious conversion.”