PRAYAGRAJ, INDIA, February 14, 2025 (Indian Express): At the ongoing Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, a nagar kirtan accompanied by a gurbani kirtan and a gatka performance was organized on January 11, marking the presence of the Nirmla Akhara, one of the three Sikh-related akharas (spiritual orders) that are part of the world’s largest religious gathering. Many Sikh followers visit the three akharas and take holy dips at the sangam, according to Nirmal Akhara followers in Punjab. The other Sikh-related akharas are the Bada (large) Udaseen Akhara and the Naya (new) Udaseen Akhara. Udaseen means neutral. These akharas follow the teachings of Guru Nanak and are guided by the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhism. The Udaseen Akhara was established by Baba Sri Chand, son of Guru Nanak Dev, the first Guru of Sikhs. The Nirmala Akhara has centers in various parts of Punjab and elsewhere in the country. The sadhus here revere Hindu scriptures—such as the Vedas, Bhagavad Gita, and Upanishads—as well as the Guru Granth Sahib. Although the akharas bid farewell to the Mahakumbh on February 3, the Kumbh Mela will continue until February 26.

On January 29, Harnam Singh Dhumma, chief of Damdami Taksal, an organization that teaches Sikh faith, visited the Mahakumbh to take a holy dip. He said that certain Sikh traditions, particularly those belonging to the Udaseen and Nirmala Akharas, participate in the Kumbh. Dhumma was invited by both akharas and the Uttar Pradesh government, as he said Damdami Taksal holds significant value and has no animosity towards any religion. As the Sikh Youth Federation (Bhindranwale) objected to his visit, Dhumma also said that Sikh gurus had visited Prayagraj and Kashi. Navtej Singh Namdhari from the Namdhari sect of Sikhs said, “Guru Gobind Singhji had sent Sikhs to Kashi to study and they were called Nirmale—the highly educated Sikhs. So Nirmala Akhara represents those followers.” He added that the Namdhari sect had also set up a shivir (camp) at the Mahakumbh and that several devotees from Namdhari sect have taken holy dips.

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