Observe some of the Naga Sadhus doing “Hatt Yog,” or obstinate yoga, for “Lok Kalyan,” using their own variations of yoga asanas, because the Maha Kumbh Mela will begin on Monday with the beginning of the “Shahi Snans” on the festival of Paush Purnima.

Because of their obstinacy, the “Hatt yogis” engage in the most difficult behaviors, such as carrying 45 kg of Rudrakshas on their heads, keeping one arm lifted at all times, and not raising their feet off the ground. These behaviors pique people’s interest in their vows. For the last eight and a half years, a Sadhu has been standing on his own two feet in one of the Akharas, Avahan Akhara. He had swollen feet. He claims that this is Tapasya, and when questioned why, he cites “Jan Kalyan” as the reason, finding no problems even if he is harmed. He doesn’t only want to get legs out of the house. He uses a platform to sleep. The Ashram’s workers tend to him if he becomes ill. His coworkers advised that he break his commitment after 12 years, but he insisted that he would remain upright for the rest of his life.

With 45 kilograms of Rudraksh on his head, a Sadhu named “Panch Dashnam Akhara” said, “We are the origins of Sanatan Hindu Dharma. There are three forms of stubbornness, or hatt: Yog, Kriya, and Baal. The sadhu said that he had promised to carry 1.25 lakh Rudrakshas at the 2019 Ardh Kumbh Mela, saying, “We are doing it for Sanatan Dharma and for the sake of the betterment of the country.” He spends twelve hours a day carrying the Rudrakshas. Rudrakshas were contributed by a few devotees, Bhajan singers, and others, totaling 2.25 lakh. That was what he would do for another six years.

At Panch Dashnam Akhara, another Sadhu was discovered. For the last nine years, he has been spotted holding a Shiva linga in his left palm while raising his hand in the air. When he was eight years old, he accepted Sanyas at Prayagraj and became Sadhu. His nails have grown a lot since he hasn’t used his left hand in years. We are doing Tapasya, and we resemble dead corpses. I can drive the automobile, so we have no problems. The sadhu said, “We are doing this for the country and Gow Mata.” He indicated that he would live this way for the rest of his life and that the sadhus had no fixed residence.