The Mysterious Sadhu of the Ganges

 In continuation

Second Part

The Mysterious Sadhu of the Ganges

The day was Basant Panchami, 3rd February 2025, and the air at the Maha Kumbh was thick with devotion, chaos, and an undercurrent of mystery. The holy Ganges, shimmering under the moonlight, seemed to hold secrets deeper than its waters. Amidst the sea of pilgrims, saints, and seekers, something extraordinary was about to unfold—something that would leave even the most rational minds questioning the boundaries of reality. 

Surveillance had been heightened across every street, camp, and tent. Reports of a mysterious sadhu (Aghori) had spread like wildfire, yet no one could trace him. He appeared and vanished like a shadow, leaving behind whispers of awe and fear. Karanveer, the diligent officer in charge of security, was in his office, reviewing the day’s reports. The atmosphere was tense, with pilgrims murmuring in panic, their faith shaken by the strange occurrences. 

Suddenly, a soldier burst into the room, breathless and wide-eyed. “Sir, at Ganga Ghat… the sadhu has been seen again! He’s gathering a huge crowd!” Without a moment’s delay, Karanveer rallied his team and rushed to the spot, his mind racing with questions. Who was this sadhu? What was his purpose? And why did he seem to defy all logic? 

As they reached the ghat, the scene was surreal, unreal and fantastic. A sadhu with a big Trident stood amidst the crowd, A LITTLE FAR AWAY- his presence commanding yet serene. Beside him stood a majestic white bull, Nandi Ji, its calm eyes fixed on the sadhu as if in silent communication. The crowd was in a frenzy—some chanted “Bum Bum Bhole!” while others backed away, torn between reverence and fear. 

Karanveer’s eyes narrowed as he observed the sadhu. He was exactly as described—smeared in ash, a snake coiled around his neck, and his eyes closed in deep meditation. But there was something more, something otherworldly. The air around him seemed to hum with inexplicable energy.

Karanveer approached cautiously; his team closest to him. “Who has brought the bull here?”

“Who are you?” he demanded, his voice firm but laced with curiosity.

“Why are you causing such a stir among the pilgrims?” 

The sadhu’s eyes fluttered open, revealing a gaze that seemed to pierce through Karanveer’s very soul. For a moment, the officer felt as if his thoughts were laid bare, his doubts and fears exposed. The sadhu smiled faintly; his voice calm yet resonant. “I have not come to deceive, but to guide. Those who cannot recognize the truth are forever lost in confusion.”

The crowd erupted in murmurs, some nodding in agreement, others shaking their heads in disbelief. Karanveer, though shaken, maintained his composure. “You’re under arrest for disturbing the peace,” he declared, signalling his team to apprehend the sadhu.

But as the officers moved forward, the sadhu raised his hand. “Wait,” he said softly. He turned and walked toward the Ganges, the crowd parting like waves before him. Then, to everyone’s astonishment, he stepped onto the water. Not sinking, not faltering the surface as if it were solid ground.

The air was thick with the scent of incense and the fervent cries of devotion as the Maha Kumbh Mela unfolded in all its chaotic grandeur. The sun hung low, casting a golden hue over the sea of humanity that had gathered on the sacred banks of the Ganges. Amidst the swirling dust and the rhythmic chants of "Moksha! Moksha!" a spectacle unfolded that seemed to transcend the boundaries of the mortal world.

A massive bull, its coat glistening like polished onyx, emerged from the crowd, moving with an almost regal grace. Its powerful muscles rippled beneath its skin as it strode forward, each step resonating with a primal energy that commanded attention. But this was no ordinary bull—this was a beast of divine significance, a symbol of strength and spirituality, and it was not alone.

Draped in ash and adorned with rudraksha beads, an Aghori Sadhu led the procession, his presence both fearsome and mesmerizing. His matted locks swayed with each step, and his eyes, glazed with the intensity of a thousand meditations, seemed to pierce through the very fabric of reality. Behind him, a multitude of devotees surged forward, their hands desperately clutching the bull's tail, as if by touching it, they could absorb a fraction of its sacred power.

The bull, unfazed by the chaos around it, moved with an almost otherworldly calm. Its horns gleamed like crescent moons, and its breath came in deep, rhythmic gusts as if it were in tune with the heartbeat of the universe. The crowd pressed closer, their cries of "Moksha! Moksha!" growing louder, more desperate, as if the bull itself held the key to their liberation.

The Aghori, with his trident held high, turned to face the crowd, his voice booming like thunder. "Release your attachments! Embrace the divine!" he roared, his words cutting through the cacophony like a blade. The bull, as if responding to his command, let out a deep, resonant bellow that seemed to shake the very ground beneath their feet.

For a moment, time itself seemed to stand still. The crowd, the bull, the Aghori—all were caught in a tableau of raw, unbridled spirituality. And then, as if breaking free from a trance, the bull surged forward, dragging the devotees along with it, their hands still clinging to its tail, their cries of "Moksha!" echoing into the heavens.

It was a scene of pure, unadulterated devotion—a moment where the boundaries between the physical and the spiritual blurred, and the quest for liberation became a tangible, living force. The bull, the Aghori, the crowd—they were all part of a cosmic dance, a ritual as old as time itself, played out under the watchful gaze of the gods. And in that moment, amidst the dust and the chaos, it felt as if Moksha was not just a distant dream, but a reality within reach.

Moksha, Moksha! What does the term mean?  Some people were whispering. In this hiss, a learned sadhu spoke. It is a term in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism that refers to ‘liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth.’ It is also known as Mukti.

By now it was 13:30 (1.30 AM), nighttime-

Gasps echoed through the crowd. “It’s a miracle!” someone cried. “He’s Lord Shiva himself!” 

Karanveer’s mind raced. “Check his feet!” he ordered. “There must be some trick!” Divers plunged into the water, searching for hidden platforms or supports, but found nothing. The sadhu continued his unhurried strides, his figure growing smaller as he moved further into the river.

The senior police officer, usually serene and calm, whispered, “This is beyond science. Beyond explanation.” 

Karanveer, though a man of logic, felt a shiver run down his spine. He ordered his team to stand down, realizing that this was no ordinary man they were dealing with. “Keep an eye on him,” he instructed. “We need to understand what’s happening here.” 

The sadhu, now a distant figure, turned and smiled—a smile that seemed to hold the wisdom of ages. Then, as if Ganges herself embraced him, he vanished beneath the surface, leaving no trace. 

That night, as Karanveer lay in his tent on the banks of the Ganges, sleep eluded him. The sadhu’s face, his enigmatic smile, and the inexplicable events played on a loop in his mind. Was this a divine intervention? A test of faith? Or something beyond human comprehension? 

As he finally drifted into a restless sleep, a voice echoed in his dreams—a voice that was both familiar and foreign. “Seek not with your eyes alone, but with your soul. The truth is not always what it seems.”

When Karanveer awoke, the first light of dawn was breaking over the Ganges. The mystery of the sadhu remained unsolved, but one thing was clear—the Maha Kumbh had become the stage for a phenomenon that would be spoken of for generations. 

And somewhere, in the depths of the holy river, the sadhu’s laughter seemed to ripple through the waters, a reminder that some mysteries are meant to remain just that—mysteries.

Police said nearly 90 injured people had been taken to hospitals. "Unfortunately, some of those devotees have died, such is the rush of devotees. According to The Economic Times-English Edition, 02 February 2025 11:39 AM -8 GMT-Today's ePaper.

In a spectacular display of faith and devotion, over 29.64 crore devotees converged at the sacred Sangam and took a holy dip in the Triveni waters in Prayagraj during the ongoing Maha Kumbh 2025, according to the Uttar Pradesh Information Department.