Naga sadhus cry foul over sadhvi 'god'



Radhe Maa could be the first sadhvi to lead a procession of Naga Sadhus during Maha Kumbh

A new chapter would be added to Hindu religious practices during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad in January if a section of sadhus of the revered Juna Akhara has its way.



An English-speaking sadhvi, sporting make-up and diamond and gold jewellery, would lead a procession of Naga Sadhus to Sangam - the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers - for the first Shahi Snan (royal bath) on January 14, on the occasion of Makar Sankranti.



Although there are sadhvis in all 13 akharas - the mutts of sadhus - 45-year-old Radhe Maa is the first devotee to be anointed as Maha-Mandaleshwar.



This position is bestowed only on male members of the Akhara when the person is considered to have attained god's status, so the concept of a goddess in the Akharas is entirely new.



A section of sadhus of Juna Akhara are opposing the move, and allege that Radhe Maa is using her financial clout to grab the Maha- Mandaleshwar position in Juna Akhara.



A resident of Gurudaspur in Punjab, Radhe Maa's real name is Sukhvindar Kaur alias Gudia. She moved to Mumbai with her two daughters and at present, Radhe Maa lives with the family of a businessman who runs an advertising agency. The same agency is behind her publicity.



Sadhus, or Hindu holy men, wait to take a dip in the waters of the Ganges river

Following protests against her apointment, a five-member committee of sadhus of the Akhara was constituted in October to probe the charges. The committee gave Radhe Maa a clean chit.



While justifying the decision of the committee, Mahendra Prem Giri Maharaj, spokesperson of Juna Akhara, said: "The committee submitted its report two days ago, giving her a clean chit. So she remains a Maha- Mandaleshwar."



