Seers of Nirmohi Akhara on Wednesday “purified” the ashram here of self-styled godman Asaram, who is in jail on rape charges, by sprinkling Ganga water as they took possession of the place for their stay during Simhastha Kumbh festival beginning Friday.

The sadhus claimed Asaram is “not fit to call himself as a saint for his acts”.

The ashram, situated on Mangalnath area on plot no. 330/2 under Jiwaji police station limits, has been temporarily allotted to Nirmohi Akhara, officials said.

The district administration has taken temporary possession of private land located close to the area where the religious congregation is scheduled, and allotted these plots to Akharas for the festival.

“We purified the place with Ganga water and by performing other rituals. Now we are going to stay put there for Kumbh,” Akhara pontiff Suresh Das Ji Maharaj said.

When contacted, Asaram’s ashram manager Ramji Mitr said the seers of the Akhara have taken control of their place of worship.