LUCKNOW: Maha Kumbh, synonymous with austerity and salvation, has a contrasting side too — the swag. Amidst traditional fanfare and religious zeal, various akharas are making a grand entry into the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.
But what is attracting eyeballs during the ‘Chhavani Pravesh Yatra’ (Peshwai procession) are swanky cars ranging from meticulously restored Rolls-Royce to Mercedes Benz and Audi Q7, traversing the steel plate-lined makeshift roads of the sprawling Maha Kumbh city on the banks of Sangam.
Read more: Maha Kumbh Mela 2025
As the processions slowly move towards the Kumbh Mela area along with the beats of drums and DJs, some unconventional seers can also be seen flaunting their “swag” alongside spirituality. They come wearing branded sunglasses and ostentatious gold chains, exhibiting confident demeanours that resonate with spectators. And, these babas can be seen relishing every bit of the attention.
While some mahamandaleshwars, mandaleshwars and other senior seers are reaching the mela on gold and silver chariots and palanquins to the accompaniment of music by dozens of musical bands, a group of saffron-robed ascetics are choosing the opulent route via high-end vehicles. Some of these swanky vehicles come at a staggering rent of Rs 51,000 per day.
Most vehicles have nameplates mentioning posts of holy men
Many of these vehicles belong to senior seers who hold the post of peetadheeshwars, mahamandaleshwars, mahants and mandaleshwars. Others belong to their protocol teams and disciples.
Most such upscale vehicles have nameplates mentioning the posts of the holy men. These premium four-wheelers range from Rs 59-65 lakh at the higher end, with entry models costing between Rs 15.98 lakh and Rs 27-33 lakh. Such vehicles are visible throughout the mela ground.
The largest akhara — Shri Panch Dashnam Juna Akhara — and Kinnar Akhara, which were the first to lead the “Peshwai” procession in the Maha Kumbh area, saw Mahamandaleshwar Pavitranand Giri riding a 1965 model Rolls Royce. Behind the Juna Akhara, the Devtva Yatra of the Kinnar Akhara was being led by Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, who was seated on a large silver throne.
Talking to TOI over phone, Ayush Tandon, who provides vintage cars on rent for weddings, said his car was rented for the Devatva Yatra of Kinnar Akhara for the first time.
He said the vintage vehicles have so far been booked by Shri Shambhu Panch Dashnam Agni Akhara, Juna Akhara and Kinnar Akhara. “We already have several bookings for Rolls-Royce for the Jan 13 shahi snan and Mauni Amawasya snan on Jan 28… There is also a booking for ‘Chhavani Pravesh Yatra’ of Panch Dashnam Akhara on Jan 10,” he said.
On the condition of anonymity, a seer told TOI, “We guide the teeming millions in Kumbh Mela on faith and spirituality. A little splash of luxury is a way to connect with the youth who have lesser interest in religion than in social media.”
Another seer quipped: “Kumbh has always been known for babas with a difference.”
“There are ‘Computer baba’, ‘Gold baba’, ‘Tablet-waale baba’ and so on. And, their followers do not find anything wrong in this as their focus is on the blessings,” he said.
“The goal is salvation, but Maha Kumbh is also a grand celebration. The swanky cars we move in, or comfortable places we stay in, are being arranged by our devotees as a mark of gratitude towards God who has blessed them in abundance. To respect their gesture is also dharma,” he added.
