Prayagraj: Akharas have rejected 210 aspirants seeking the title of Mahamandaleshwar after failing internal verification ahead of the Haridwar Ardh Kumbh in 2027 and the Ujjain Simhastha Kumbh in 2028. Reasons included continued family ties, criminal cases, involvement in plotting activities and inadequate association with religious institutions.
Of the applications rejected so far, Juna Akhara has turned down 80, Niranjani Akhara 55, Ahvan Akhara 25, Shri Nirmohi Ani Akhara 40 and Bada Udasin Akhara 10. The verification process found that 70 applicants were still in contact with their families despite claiming to be renunciates. Criminal cases were detected against 25 applicants, while 45 were found to be involved in plotting activities. Another 70 applicants, though financially well-off, were found to have limited association with mutts and temples. Around 60 of those rejected were based in Delhi and 70 in Mumbai. The Haridwar Ardh Kumbh is scheduled from Jan 13 to Apr 20, 2027, while the Ujjain Simhastha Kumbh will be held from Mar 27 to May 27, 2028.
The names of those cleared for the title at Haridwar and Ujjain will be announced about a week before the conferment ceremony, he added. Stay updated with the latest Prayagraj news.
Juna Akhara international spokesperson Mahant Narayan Giri said applicants seeking the Mahamandaleshwar title undergo detailed verification of their homes, families, educational background, relatives and friends. A prospective Mahamandaleshwar is also expected to possess knowledge of Sanskrit, the Vedas and the Puranas, according to Giri. Mahant Ravindra Puri, secretary of Shri Niranjani Akhara and president of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, said: “People were continuously approaching akharas for the title, but those who failed the internal verification were denied the honour.
Several other applications remain under scrutiny. The scrutiny also highlighted the geographical spread of applicants. Applicants from Chennai, Kolkata, Patna, Gurgaon, Chandigarh and Kashmir had also approached the akharas for the title. The akharas have begun preparations for the forthcoming religious congregations. Preparations include cleaning and maintaining weapons, flags and other ceremonial articles, besides arranging grain, ghee and oil for bhandaras. They are required to submit an affidavit on stamp paper declaring that they have severed all ties with their previous life and associated people. After a seer submits an application for anointment as Mahamandaleshwar, the akhara’s Panch Parmeshwar verifies the claims by contacting schools, colleges, police stations, family members, relatives and friends. Applicants involved in running mutts, temples, Sanskrit schools or gaushalas are considered for the title after completing the scrutiny process. Those lacking such knowledge may be trained by senior seers. Download the TOI App.