Italian team meets CM, recites chaupai from Ramayana and Shiv Tandav
Story by Statesman News Service
• 16h • 1 min read
Italian team meets CM, recites chaupai from Ramayana and Shiv Tandav
A delegation from Italy, led by Mahi Guru, the founder and trainer of the Meditation and Yoga Center in Italy, met Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday after taking a holy dip in the Sangam at the Prayagraj Mahakumbh.
The group, including several women from Italy, shared their spiritual experiences of the event and expressed their admiration for Indian culture and traditions.
During the meeting, the delegation also recited ‘chaupai’ from the Ramayana, Shiva Tandava, and sang various bhajans, creating a deeply devotional atmosphere. The delegation described the Mahakumbh as a live demonstration of India’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage.
They recounted how participating in the Naga sadhus’ rituals, bhajan-kirtan, and other religious practices profoundly impacted their understanding of Indian traditions.
The women from the Italian delegation said that their experience at the Mahakumbh had left them deeply impressed by the depth of Indian culture and spirituality. They appreciated the warmth and hospitality they experienced during their visit and noted how the event had reinforced the importance of spirituality and unity in diversity.
CM Yogi welcomed the delegation and expressed his gratitude for their visit. He praised their enthusiasm in experiencing the essence of India’s spiritual and cultural practices and encouraged further exchanges to strengthen ties between India and Italy.
Related video: Maha Kumbh 2025: Italian women delegation stuns CM Yogi with 'Shiv Tandava', ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ chants, watch! (The Economic Times)
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Niranjani Akhada anoints five sadhus as mahamandaleshwars
Story by HT Correspondent, MAHAKUMBH NAGAR (PRAYAGRAJ)
• 1d • 2 min read
Swami Krishnanand Puri of Chandigarh, Swami Adi Yogi Puri of Rishikesh in Uttarakhand, Swami Bhagwati Puri of Mumbai in Maharashtra, Sadhvi Meera Giri of Kishanganj in Rajasthan and Swami Adityanand Giri of Vrindavan, UP, were anointed as mahamandaleshwars
Niranjani Akhada on Saturday anointed five senior sadhus as mahamandaleshwars (head priests) during a ceremony at the tent city at the Mahakumbh Mela venue on Saturday. All five are from different states of the country. Niranjani Peethadheeshwar Swami Kailashanand Giri and Anand Akhada Peethadheeshwar Swami Balakanand Giri were present in the ceremony.
Vedic scholars chanted mantras after which all senior sadhus present at the site offered the newly-anointed mahamandaleshwars a piece of cloth as part of the ‘chadar poshi’ ritual marking their support to their anointments.
Among those who became mahamandaleshwars are Swami Krishnanand Puri of Chandigarh, Swami Adi Yogi Puri of Rishikesh in Uttarakhand, Swami Bhagwati Puri of Mumbai in Maharashtra, Sadhvi Meera Giri of Kishanganj in Rajasthan and Swami Adityanand Giri of Vrindavan, UP.
Sri Mahant Ravindrapuri, the president of Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad and head of Mansa Devi Temple Trust, said these sadhus had always played an important role in uniting the country culturally and spiritually. “The newly-appointed mahamandaleshwars of Niranjani Akhada will contribute in taking forward the Akhada tradition established by Adi Guru Shankaracharya for the protection of Sanatan dharma,” he added.
Acharya mahamandaleshwar Swami Kailashanand Giri said the sadhus who become mahamandaleshwar have a special position and special respect in the Akhada. Anand Peethadheeshwar acharya mahamandaleshwar Swami Balakanand Giri said the guru-disciple tradition was followed in the process of anointing mahamandaleshwar. The consent of prominent sadhus and gurus of the Akhada is necessary to appoint a qualified person to this post, he added.
All the newly appointed mahamandaleshwars took the blessings of the sadhus present there.