Varanasi: The peshwai of Panch Das Naam Juna Akhara was carried out in Varanasi after their deity’s idol Lord Dattatreya reached the city from Kumbh fair in Prayagraj, on Wednesday. The procession marked the shift of the akhara to Kashi after Kumbh, from where the Naga sadhus will leave for their places after ‘Masan Holi.’Though, Naga sadhus had already started thronging Ganga ghats after third Shahi Snan at Kumbh in Prayagraj, but the idol of Juna Akhara’s presiding deity reached its chhavani in Kamaksha area on Wednesday morning.Peshwai was carried out from the chhavani to the Akhara’s main Math at Hanuman Ghat. Apart from Sri Mahant Prem Giri other mahamandaleshwars, mahants and sadhus participated in the colourful procession.“As per the tradition of Juna Akhara, all Naga sadhus associated with it start gathering in Kashi after attending Kumbh fair after third Shahi Snan but the peshwai is carried out only after idol of Lord Dattatreya reaches here,” said Swami Avimuktanand Giri of Juna Akhara. Most of the Shaiva Akhara follow this tradition and among total of 13 akharas seven are known to be Shaiva Akhara, seers said.While majority of Naga sadhus prefer to stay at ghat steps along river Ganga, their main Bhandara takes place at Hanuman Ghat Math. Seer Avimuktanand said, “Main celebration of Naga sadhus takes place on Mahashivratri, falling on March 4 this year. As per the timing fixed by the local administration, Juna Akhada carries out a grand procession of Naga sadhus in the presence of Sri Mahant, mahamandaleshwar and other mahants from Hanuman Ghat Math to reach Kashi Vishwanath temple for ‘Shahi Darshan’.”After Shahi Darshan, he said, the procession returns to Hanuman Ghat Math follwoing which a grand celebration of Mahashivratri begins amidst devotional chantings by Naga sadhus. The ‘Samashti Bhandara’ also begins from the same day at the math and continues till Holi, said Swami Avimuktanand adding, “After playing ‘Masan Holi’ (playing with ashes of pyres at cremation ground) in Kashi on the occasion of Holi Naga sadhus leave for their places.”While Wednesday’s Peshwai procession of Juna Akhada marked the formal shifting of Naga sadhus associated with it from Kumbh to Kashi, the sadhus camping at the ghats along river Ganga for past fortnight are already attracting a large number of people, foreign tourists who are curious to know about them and their lifestyle.

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