Naga sadhu: Who was the only female Naga Sadhu who never wore clothes? The women of this country follow every rule of the Akhara!

Naga Sadhus are a part of the Indian saint community, who are especially famous for their rigorous penance and staying away from material things. The main objective of these sadhus is to attain enlightenment and salvation, and for this they do difficult sadhanas by cutting themselves off from the world. This world has been considered mainly ruled by men, but the presence of female Naga Sadhus makes this world even more mysterious and interesting.

To know a lot about female Naga Sadhus, it is important that we understand their rules and traditions. The world of female Naga Sadhus is not only unknowable, but it also includes many strict rules and practices, which govern the role of female sadhus and their freedom.

Strict rules of female Naga Sadhus:
Permission to remain naked: Only one woman who became a female Naga Sadhu was allowed to remain naked, and that was Sadhvi Brahma Giri. After Sadhvi Brahma Giri, no female Naga was allowed to remain naked like the men. The role of female Naga Sadhu has traditionally been different and limited from that of men in the society.

Clothing rules: Female Naga Sadhus are allowed to wear a special type of saffron coloured cloth, which is unstitched. This cloth has a single knot, which symbolizes that they wear it to cover their body. However, this cloth can be worn only in their private area (Akhada), but in public places they are required to cover the body instead of wearing this cloth.

Prohibition of nudity in public places: Female Naga Sadhus can remain naked in their Akhara, but it is prohibited for them to come in public places naked. This rule is from the point of view of their respect and safety, as the society has different beliefs and prejudices about the naked form of women.

Initiation as a Sadhvi: When a woman gets initiation as a Naga Sadhu, she gets a new identity. After taking initiation as a sadhu, all the sadhus including male sadhus address her as “Mata”. This honorific title gives her a special status where she is isolated from the society and remains engaged in her penance and sadhna.

Public appearance in Kumbh and Mahakumbh: Female Naga sadhus usually appear in public only during Kumbh and Mahakumbh. These are the occasions when lakhs of devotees gather to see them, and it is the time for female Naga sadhus to mark their presence in the society. After this, they go to their Akhara or to the forests where they remain absorbed in their sadhna life.

Foreign women and female Nagas: Female Naga sadhus also include foreign women, especially women from Nepal. Women coming from Nepal adopt the Indian sadhu tradition and become female Nagas. These women are often in search of Indian culture, sadhna, and sadhuvaad, and try to achieve spiritual peace by adopting this austere life.