Do you really need the Camera To Shoot The Kumbh

His Holiness Maha Mandleshwar Shri Avdesh Anandji Giri Maharaj Juna Akhara

By Krishna Maheshwari

Swami Avdheshanand Giri Maharaj
Sri Avdheshanand Giri Maharaj, Acharya Mahamandaleshwar of the Juna Akhara, is a guru to thousands and an inspiration to millions. Swami Avdheshanand has initiated more than a hundred thousand sannyasins, transformed lives with his social activities, and leads the Juna Akhara[1] into the 21st century.

Childhood

Swamiji was born in a respectable brahmin family. As an infant, he had no interest in playing with toys or making friends. He used to be lost in the memories of the events of his previous births and quite often used to share these with his family members. He was ordained to be a saint in this life, as he put it.
At the tender age of two and a half years, he displayed an interest in becoming a wandering monk. One day, he hung a small sling bag on his shoulders and, accompanied by stray dogs and pups, he left for the onward journey. However, the family members and neighbors, after looking for him in every nook and corner, were relieved to find him near a bus stand waiting to board a bus that would take him far away. After bringing him back, his parents got worried about his flings. It was advised that if he is put on a potter’s wheel (Chak of Kumhar) and churned anti-clockwise with force, he would forget his past. So this method was tried on him so that he might behave like other ordinary village children. However, the fire in him for knowing the truth could not be extinguished with these rituals. Rather, as Swamiji mentions, eventually his remembrances of the events of his previous births became more impressionable at this juncture. Swamiji’s first encounter of witnessing the accomplishment of a Sage in the field of Yoga was when he was in ninth grade of High School. During the summer that year, he visited an Ashram to spend some time practicing spiritual studies and Yoga. At this Ashram in the middle of one night, he watched a Yogi who was levitating in the air almost one foot above the ground. When the authorities of the Ashram came to know that this young boy had seen the sadhna, the yogi was admonished. However, the Yogi retorted “What is wrong with this child watching me? He is going to become a Sadhu anyway.”
College

While he was in the College, he actively participated in the debates, composing and recitation of poems and Prayers. After the morning assembly, he would give the current news on topics of interest to the masses. He was fond of organizing and participating in the relief camps for mitigating the hardship of flood and famine victims, people suffering from contagious diseases and other physical ailments. He was then staying as a paying guest at the house of a local priest who used to perform on occasions the necessary rituals and puja in reverence to the Gods. When the Priest had a busy schedule, he authorized him to perform the worship and retain the dakshina given to him. From the money so received, he could to a great extent meet his expenses for education as he always wished to be independent. Once, the Principal of the local college approached the local priest to conduct a worship ceremony at his home. However, the priest had a very tight schedule and recommended the boy for the ceremony.
   Swami Avdheshanand GiriWhen you develop a craving to know the Truth, the mountains and caves start attracting you and it happened to me in 1980.
   Swami Avdheshanand Giri
—Swami Avdheshanand
The young boy performed the worship with such exactness, knowledge and command over the spirit of the rituals that the principal was overjoyed and offered him Dakshina. This was his first Dakshina and from that day on, he was the most sought after priest for performing the worship of the deities. However, this was only his formal recognition as a priest and not an end to his quest for self-realization. So one day, he quit his worldly life and quietly left for the Himalayas in search of Gyana and Satya.
Meeting his Guru

Wandering for months over the lower ranges of Himalayas, he realized that he needed a God-realized guru to guide him. The young man found his Guru, Swami Avdhoot Prakash Maharaj who was both self-realized and an expert in Yoga, and versatile in knowledge about the Veda and other scriptures.
Under the master’s direct guidance, he studied the Vedas and scriptures and cultivated his knowledge of Sanskrit. Eventually he received his first formal initiation (Diksha) by observing complete celibacy (Brahmacharya). Soon after his initiation, his Guru left the mortal body, leaving the young disciple to carry on his devotion to yoga and meditation on his own. In 1985, after intense Sadhana, a great Yogi emerged from the caves of the Himalayas. He contacted Swami Satyamittranandji, founder of Bharat Mata Temple, and soon after, received initiation to enter a true monastic life. He entered Junapeeth Akhara, one of the seven Akharas. The new name given to him was Swami Avdheshanand Giri.
Monastic Life

Until now he had been an inner explorer, free and detached from the external world. But after donning the ochre robes of a sannyasin, he learned how to make his life useful to others.
After spending some time teaching and getting involved in social work, he realized that he needed to become an instrument of social reform instead of remaining merely a medium of social help. This, he saw, had to be done through the transformation of individuals, based on the precepts and parameters laid down by the great Saints and Sages. This realization led the young Swami to become a preacher of the philosophy of Hindu religion. As the popularity of his oratory rose, so did his travel all over India and overseas. In a very short span of time, the whirlwind tours which Swamiji made earned him respect and love from seekers of truth all over the globe.
Visiting his Native Village

After an interval of over two decades of his departure from his native place, Swamiji was once addressing a congregation of aspirants in Northern India. One close relative of Swamiji who was attending the initiation ceremony spotted him. After Swamiji’s affirmation that he was indeed a child of the same family, the news of his elopement and turning into a great Sanyasi reached his village. Swamiji clearly mentioned that, being a wandering monk devoted to the monastic life as ordained by the wish of God, he had severed his past and family connections. Subject to this understanding, Swamiji agreed to a visit to his native village. When he reached his home, a large crowd with a big bandwagon accompanied him. There were high ranking government officers, ministers, and governors present. On meeting Swamiji, his father was startled to see that the little master had been truthful to his words and had mastered the art of self-realization, and had become instrumental in churning society into a new world order.
Master Orator

Swami Avdheshanand Giri-giving-a-lecture-image.jpg

Swami Avdheshanand Giriji was recognized as a gifted speaker soon after he became a preacher of the ideology of Hindu religion. He was able to develop a rapport and an instant relationship with the devotees. A large number of people after listening to his lectures from the scriptures become his ardent disciples and devotees, seeking to get initiation from him. Swamiji has never discouraged anybody from following the path of self realization, though he maintains that it is a difficult path; but by practice and complete devotion one can achieve the goal. His lectures on various scriptures are given in India and abroad and are televised on many T.V. channels for humanity.
Acharya of the Juna Akhara

In 1998, the Juna Akhara, representing a clan of accredited saints, formally decided to make him the head acharya, or Mahamandalashewar. A formal ceremony with necessary rituals was held in which he was commemorated with the Pattabhishekam of Mahamandeleshwar. Some time after this ceremony he was chosen as the new acharya, a spiritual preceptor. This position is designated by the assigned saints after their own intense evaluation of the spiritual heights achieved by a saint engaged in the field of spirituality. No one can ask for it and no one from outside is appointed to such a distinguished position.
As an acharya, Swami Avdheshanand also became the preceptor for several sanyassins who had become part of the order and had decided to work closely with him The fellow sanyassins realized that it was the greatness of Acharya Sri that he had open heartedly accepted them into his team. They were grateful to him because after meeting him, their life was transformed. A number of sanyassins have been associated with him for over a decade. They feel whatever sankalpa they undertake for the welfare of the society and the people is fulfilled in no time, to their satisfaction.
The Acharya has assumed the mantle of a guru for the numerous devotees. No matter where he is in the world, his doors were always open to the devotees. Swamiji plans all his itineraries well in advance, with three to four flights a month, and on an average 20 days a month away from the Ashram. Everything is meticulously scheduled, even the time allocated between each meal. It is a demanding daily routine as strenuous, yet diversified, as of the Himalayan yogi of yesterday. According to Swamiji, it is the meditation which keeps him rejuvenated; which gives him energy, vitality, peace and bliss. There is nothing more powerful than meditation if one wants to realize one's goal. When you close your eyes and sit in a steady posture energy will rise and stir every cell of your body, mind and the system. Just close your eyes and start the meditation. Swamiji says that if there is anything difficult in the world, it is to start. Once you have taken off, you have nearly accomplished the task.
Swamiji has initiated about a million devotees and sanyassins during the last ten years or so. Swamiji will not say no to an aspirant who wants to engage himself in search of truth. As an Acharya, he is the guiding spirit behind all the activities of Juna Akhada and the Hindu Acharya Sabha. Harihar Ashram in Kankhal (Hardwar) is the main Ashram and seat of Acharya. In order to inculcate amongst his devotee followers the habit of service, self study and attending to religious congregations are also necessary for upliftment and self realization. Swamiji founded Prabhu Premi Sangh, a charitable body in 1991 which has about a million members as devotees. Prabhu Premi Sangh has its registered office and headquarters at Ambala Cantt. In this Ashram is conducted daily Hawan in the morning, satsang in the evening and an akhand naam sankirtan every day. It also has Akhand Jawala. The Ashram has also a pen for the herds of cows, the service of which is rendered by the devotees of the Ashram. Many hospitals, education centres & NGOs are serving the society under the divine guidance of Swamiji.
Religion & God

Swamiji has faith and respect for all religions. The universe is one family and God is one. Swamiji affirms and expresses his belief that there is only one God who controls the whole universe. All the creations in the universe are purely out of His will and wish. Further, all human beings are children of the same Almighty. We are just like waves in the ocean longing to merge with our source of origin, that is, God whose fraction we are. We take birth again and again to bear the fruits of Karma.
Swamiji has firm belief that all the religions of the world convey the same basic message of love, peace and brotherhood. However, the ways and means for achieving God may be different due to diverse climatic, cultural, ethnic, regional factors and compulsions; but the ultimate goal is that of God-realization. Swamiji keeps an interaction with the heads of all the religions throughout the world. He is strictly opposed to the confining of religious fervour and altruism to the precincts of any sect, area or region. The entire international community must be benefitted by a religion. Swamiji says that secularism means showing respect to all religions in words and deeds. He particularly mentions that removal of illiteracy, economic backwardness and inculcation of character-building measures endowed with the feeling of affinity for all the people and religions are necessary for the harmony and peace in the society.

www.hindupedia.com/en/Swami_Avdheshanand_Giri

Documenting Nasikh Kumbh Trimbakeshwar 2015

I was invited to Trimbakeshwar for the Shahi Snan 29 August 2015 ,,by my humble Naga Guru Shree Vijay Giri Maharaj Triveni of Juna Akhada ,, He is the one who introduced me to the fascinating world of the  Kumbh and Maha Kumbh and the world of Naga Sadhus ,,

We first met at Trimbakeshwar Sadhugram  Nasik Kumbh 2002 and this was revisiting my earliest memories of my first Kumbh Mela back again after 12 years ..When I reached Trimbakeshwar on 25 August my Guru was not there as he had to leave the Kumbh , his Guru was serious and so I met Shree Vijay Giri when he arrived from Mumbai with his disciples on 26 August morning ,, he was overjoyed to see me ,, I had met him at his Ashram in Mumbai too after two years ,, I was with him at the Maha Kumbh Allahabad .

We were 2 km away from Trimbakeshwar in a Naga Sadhu Sadhugram at Pingal wadi Phata next to Shankarcharya Jagadguru Of Dwarkas Mutt ,, in a very short while I had become friendly with all the Naga Sadhus predominantly from the Maharashtra belt ..

I visited Trimbakeshar too, shot the procession of the naked Naga Sadhus on 27 August another procession of the Udasin Akhada ..and on 28 August went to Ramkhund shot few Akhadas of the Bairagis at Tapovan including the Sadhu who sits on a platform for several years , he will come down from his tree house this Diwali,.. I shot videos and took a dip in the Tapovan..

I returned back to Trimbakeshwar ,, and early 29 August morning at 2 am my Guru began dressing up to leave for the Shahi Snan at Trimbakeshwar ,, he performed the Ling Kriya , than he dressed me up as a Sadhu too.. all saffron placed vermilion on my head and we left in a car to the chant of Har Har Mahadev ..lots of roadblocks and my Gurus disciples following us on foot , we reached Trimbakeshwar parked the car and in the crowds I lost my Guru , so I ended up once again in the procession of His Holiness Avdesh Anandji Maha Mandleshwar Juna Akhada , he waved out to me and I told him I was a Muslim documenting Hope and Hindutva as a Message of Universal Peace Hope and Humanity , he asked his followers to take my visiting card asked me to meet him after the Shahi Snan he gave me his blessings and his card with his picture that I added on the reverse side of my Press Card .. and entered the Trimbakeshwar Kund shot the Nagas taking the Holy Dip I shot from 3 am till 6am all the Naga Akhadas in the company of a friend Jeetendra from Reuters Allahbad and than left to shoot the crowds and walked all the way back to my tent .. a very long walk..

When I reached Sadhugram my Guru had already returned and perhaps this was my best Kumbh as a photographer I met a lot of Naga Gurus I got a call from my Tantrik Guru Kapoor Khamakya he was at the Snan but we could not meet ,, I shot Aghori Sadhus and I was to leave for Mumbai by train on the 30 August , but a friend Vinod Bhai was leaving in his car last evening I decided to go with him and it was a nightmare all main roads leading to Mumbai from Nasikh blocked but we took a very long route I reached home late midnight .

This is the storyboard of my spiritual trek into the heart of Hope and Hindutva ,, I will divide it into two parts Nasikh Kumbh Trimbakeshar 2015  Nasik Kumbh Ramkundh Tapovan 2015 .. The naked Naga Sadu pictures and the Shahi Snan will be restricted from public view in keeping with Flickr guidelines for frontal nudity and the Ling Kriya pictures too .. The Naga Sadhu procession pictures will be restricted that I shot from Pingal Patha till Nilgiri Parbhat.

You have to be a Flickr member to see those pictures ,,

I also shot Golden Baba laden with gold taking the dip at Trimbakehwar Shahi Snan ,, sadly I could not take the dip but I shot instead ,.. all the Digambari Naga Sadhus taking the dip..

Om Namo Narayan..

Just returned from Trimbakeshwar after shooting the Shahi Snan this morning also shot Ramkund Tapovan too

Returned in a friends car from Trimbakeshwar as all roads are closed because of the Shahi Snan at both places including Ramkund had to take a very long route took us over 10 hours to reach Jogeshwari took a ricksha home ,,met His Holiness Maha Mandleshwar Avdesh Anandji.. he could not believe I was a Muslim he took my visiting card ..I shot all the Akhadas of the Juna Akhada thanks to His Holiness Avdesh Anandji and my Naga Guru Shree Vijay Giri Maharaj Triveni I was staying with him at the Sadhugram with the nagas ,,


Will be uploading the pictures of Nasikh Kumbh  Naga Sadhus Shahi Snan Trimbakeshwar ,, Ramkundh and Tapovan at my main Flickr site ,,

Spirtual Moment in Silence

The Pain of Unliving

There was a resrvoir of pain, a womans physicality and a spiritual pain.

The Soothing Colors of Kumbh

The amazing quality is colors at the Kumbh, contrasting yet universally harmonizing a message of Love Hope and Hindutva.At the Kumbh , time has stopped forever .For a poet this is poetry , pages and pages of it without words encrypted in Godly silence.

The Spirtual Discourse of Golbal Peace

This was a very long shot, but I took it because it poetically reminded me that the Eagle had landed,the colors around , this was an unpainted moment of mans quest for a supreme message of global peace.The common man wants just that living in mutual coexistence without throwing incendiary bombs in his neighbors back yard.

Shri Sadanand Maharaj Agni Akhada Hardwar

Shri Sadanand of Agni Akhada :
I was waiting outside the Akhada premises at Sevagram, to catch a glimpse of him, his bodyguards told me that he would come out for darshan, I took his picture after taking his permission,,turned my back and was going away, I was dressed in my normal trouser , shirt attire, not the exotic clothes that I wear.
He called me back, he looked deep into my eyes , said 'You are a Momin arent you' this is what the Shia are called among Muslims.I was shocked but did not betray any emotion , I said 'Yes '.
He said wash your hands , as a devotee gave me water , than he pulled out a silver coin presented to me, the moment I touched the coin, I went down on my knees automatically, he said look at the coin, the coin was the image of Mecca our Holy city it had the Kaaba on it, , he walked away without hearing my thanks.In the meanwhile all his devotees rushed up to me kissing the coin taken from my my hands.
This was the mysticism of the Kumbh , for a Muslim man like me.
As I walked away a man caught up with me, rich man gold in abundance on his body, he came to the point...He said 'Will you sell the coin I am offering you Rs 5000/I declined , pushed my way into the crowds.
I still have the silver coin of a reminder of my tryst with a spirtual destiny.
This is Hope and Hindutva the cornerstone of my cultural inheritance.
There was so much to learn to absorb at the Kumbh, the Kumbh is not just an important part of a Hindu calendar, the Kumbh is a chapter of your after life opening to the present.
I start the Kumbh experience, these are pictures embedded in memories, the picture quality has been reduced in terms of Dpi..as there is much I have to post , within the limit set by Bloggers inMb.I do not intend taking an upgrade , as this is a purely sharing religious sentiment with absolutely no commercial craving.
A lot of people approached me to buy off my Hindu, Shia , Sufi Christian images , though I was broke sometimes but never interested.. I got it free I give it back to the community I took from..I may be not as talkative or self explanatory on the next posts, so read the silence of a spirituality in my pictures.These are timeless moments of my unlearning photography.