Controversy Surrounds Influencer’s Role in Traditional Seers’ Procession

India

-Krishna Kripa

Updated: Thursday, January 16, 2025, 1:18 [IST]

A
dispute
has
arisen
regarding
anchor
and
influencer
Harsha
Richhariya’s
participation
in
the
Chhavani
Pravesh
procession
with
seers
from
the
Niranjani
Akhara.
This
event
marks
their
formal
entry
into
the
Maha
Kumbh.
Swami
Anand
Swaroop,
leader
of
Kali
Sena,
criticised
her
involvement,
stating
that
the
Kumbh
is
meant
for
spiritual
growth
and
not
for
publicity
by
models.

Images
of
Richhariya
in
saffron
attire
during
the
Kumbh
circulated
widely.
She
later
clarified
that
she
is
not
a
sanyasin
ascetic.
Mahant
Ravindra
Puri,
president
of
the
Akhil
Bharatiya
Akhara
Parishad
(ABAP),
played
down
the
controversy.
He
stated
that
wearing
saffron
is
not
wrong
and
mentioned
that
Richhariya
had
received
mantra
deeksha
from
a
Mahamandaleshwar
of
Niranjani
Akhara.

Spiritual
Traditions
and
Practices

Swami
Anand
Swaroop
expressed
his
concerns
on
Facebook,
writing
in
Hindi,
“Today,
during
bhojan
prasad
at
Niranjani
Akhara
with
the
president
of
the
Akhara
Parishad,
Mahant
Ravindra
Puri
jee,
I
said
that
Khumbh
is
not
organised
to
show
models…
The
Kumbh
is
meant
for
the
flow
of
jap
chanting,
tap
penance
and
gyaan
knowledge.
Therefore,
please
take
action
against
this
inappropriate
act.”

Mahant
Ravindra
Puri
referred
to
Richhariya
as
Harshita
and
explained
her
presence
at
the
event.
He
stated
she
came
to
receive
deeksha
from
a
Mahamandaleshwar
of
Niranjani
Akhara.
Despite
being
a
model
active
on
social
media,
she
wore
Ram
Naami
cloth
as
per
tradition.
He
emphasised
that
wearing
saffron
during
Sanatan
events
is
customary
and
not
an
offence.

The
tradition
allows
for
temporary
seers,
lasting
one
day
to
a
week.
Richhariya
received
mantra
deeksha
but
did
not
become
a
sanyasin
woman
seer.
She
confirmed
this
herself,
stating
she
only
took
mantra
deeksha.
Her
presence
on
the
chariot
led
to
criticism,
but
Mahant
Ravindra
Puri
defended
her
actions.

Explaining
mantra
deeksha,
Mahant
Ravindra
Puri
said
it
involves
whispering
mantras
like
“Om
Namah
Shivaaye” into
one’s
ear.
Such
practices
are
common
in
various
ceremonies,
including
marriages.

The
situation
highlights
differing
views
on
modern
participation
in
traditional
religious
events.
While
some
see
it
as
a
breach
of
tradition,
others
view
it
as
part
of
evolving
practices
within
spiritual
gatherings.