Mahakumbh Nagar, Feb. 7 -- The Maha Kumbh officially concludes on February 26, but it is time to move on for the 13 akharas that define the essence of the grand congregation. And the first sign of their departure is the lowering of their respective flags.
Following the final 'Amrit Snan' on Basant Panchami on Monday, the akharas have began leaving with a traditional 'kadhi pakoda' meal. The 13 akharas belong to different sects of 'sanyasis' (worshippers of Lord Shiva), bairagis (followers of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna), and udasins (devotees of the five deities).
Nearly 150 seers of the Bairagi sect's Panch Nirvani Akhara began leaving on Tuesday. About 35 are left. "Once Thakur ji (the deity) is ceremoniously moved, the 'dharma dhwaja' (r...