Juna Akhara, one of the oldest mutts of Naga Sadhus, have
decided to ban the entry of foreigners into the Akhara during Kumbha Mela 2013
at Prayag – Sangam (Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh , India
India Today reports
"This verdict was passed by a majority of sadhus of Juna Akhara because we have noticed in recent years that the foreigners were trying to pollute the atmosphere of our mutts. They bring drugs and liquor to lure our sadhus. This gives a bad name to the mutts. So we have expelled three sadhus from our Akhara and took a decision in a meeting in Haridwar on Thursday that the foreigners would be prohibited from entering our akhara in Kumbh Mela," said Mahant Prem Giri, general secretary of Juna Akhara.
"It also happens that some sadhus who don't value Hindu morals, lure the western women and exploit them. This is the reason that we decided to prevent their frequent contacts in the Akhara," said Mahant Parshuram Giri, another sadhu of Juna Akhara.
Mahant Mahendra Giri, a sadhu of Nirwani Akhara, said, "We welcome the decision of Juna Akhara because they are facing problems due to foreigners. But it doesn't mean that we don't want the foreigners in Kumbh Mela. They are free to visit the congregation and explore their religious curiosities. They are our guests and we respect their sentiment. I also believe that the other Akharas don't need to take a similar decision if their sadhus are disciplined renunciates and follow religious and social ethics."
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