Maha Kumbh: Sadhus Has Luxury Car To Vanity Van

At the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, Sadhus from prominent akharas are embracing luxury on wheels. Though, the saints and akharas are reluctant to come on record about their luxury rides and fancy lifestyle, A majority of the saints in the akharas claimed that most of the luxury vehicles belonged to their seniors, holding the post of peetadheeshwars, maha mandaleshwars, mahants, and mandaleshwars. Only some, it seems, are owned by their disciples.

From a classic 1965 Rolls-Royce to a high-end and sleek Audi Q7 or Mercedes Benz, and even robust Range Rovers and Defenders – ranging from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 20 crore-- can be spotted zipping across the mela grounds and its 25 sectors. Most are visible on Triveni Marg and Kali Marg in Sector 20 which happen to be the “VIP" streets of the tent city. The vehicles first caught attention during the ‘peshwai’ – the grand procession that marks the arrival of the akharas at the Maha Kumbh. This ceremonial spectacle features cars, chariots, elephants, horses, acrobatics and martial arts.

During the procession, the largest akhara, Shri Panch Dashnam Juna Akhara, and the Kinnar Akhara were the first to lead. Mahamandaleshwar Pavitranand Giri of the Juna Akhara arrived in a 1965 model Rolls-Royce, while Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Laxmi Narayan Tripathi of the Kinnar Akhara sat on a large silver throne during the ‘Devtva Yatra’.

Though some of the saints associated with the akharas said some of these vehicles are on rent – as high as Rs 5,00,000 for a day – the remaining ones are owned by priests and sadhus. They said Swami Vasudevanand, a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, owns two Rolls-Royce cars worth Rs 20 crore that were also a part of his ‘peshwai’. Jagadguru Rambhadracharya, head of Tulsi Peeth, has a saffron-coloured Audi worth more than Rs 50 lakh at his camp. The Shri Panch Agni Akhara boasts of a Land Rover Defender, while a striking black Mercedes at the Niranjani Akhara draws significant attention.

Other than these cars, Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati arrived in a vanity van worth over Rs 1.5 crore, which has reportedly been gifted by an industrialist. It once belonged to his late guru, Shankaracharya Swaroopanand Saraswati.

Besides, the sprawling tent city also showcases vehicles like Scorpios, Boleros, and Thars, ensuring convenience for saints, pilgrims, and tourists. A majority of sadhus seem to opt for either white or saffron for their vehicles.

Most vehicles are sport wide nameplates, proudly announcing the posts of the sadhus or the organisations to which they belong. They can be spotted throughout the day near the camps, especially in the mornings and evenings when the sadhus meet visitors and disciples alike. The presence of luxury cars continues to elevate the allure of the Maha Kumbh.