The Narrative of Ash-Smeared Female Naga Sadhus At the Maha Kumbh Mela, female Naga sadhus, with ash-smeared bodies, formidable hair, and saffron garments, are capturing attention. The journey of a female Naga sadhu is not about simple devotion; their transformation involves rigorous spiritual practices, deep transformation, and the arduous path of renouncing the worldly world and its notions. Before becoming an ascetic, she is a woman, wife, mother, and daughter. She then leaves behind home, land, family, and happiness to completely dedicate herself to Shiva. The initiation process for female Naga sadhus is as challenging as that for their male counterparts. Before accepting renunciation as a Naga Sadhvi, they must show unwavering dedication to their gurus and endure intense spiritual practices and training. This path begins with self-renunciation, where they must erase and forget their ego, desires, and identity. Before receiving initiation, female Naga sadhus undergo strict celibacy for six to twelve years, with many retreating to remote caves, forests, or mountains. They follow stringent rituals, and unlike male sadhus, they wear an unstitched saffron cloth known as "Ghunti" and sport a tilak on their foreheads. As part of their renunciation, they perform their own 'Pinda Daan', a ritual symbolizing the death of their old life and rebirth as ascetics. Naga sadhus subsist on roots, fruits, herbs, fruits, and various leaves. Female Naga Sadhvis follow the same diet. At the Kumbh Mela, female ascetics have separate arrangements in the Akharas. Female Naga sadhus proceed for the ceremonial bath after their male counterparts. Within the Akhara, female Naga sadhus are referred to as Mai, Avadhutani, or Nagini. It is estimated that annually, ten to twelve thousand men and women (including foreigners) are transformed into Naga sadhus and sadhvis. According to Shri Mahant Narayan Giri, the international spokesperson for the Juna Akhara, around five thousand new Naga ascetics will be prepared within the Juna Akhara. In the Niranjani Akhara, plans are underway to make approximately four and a half thousand new Naga ascetics. Similarly, a thousand will be made in the Avahan Akhara, three hundred in the Mahanirvani Akhara, four hundred in the Anand Akhara, and two hundred in the Atal Akhara, as reported by the Times of India. Naga sadhus immerse themselves in yoga and spiritual practices throughout the year and make public appearances only during the Kumbh Mela. They participate in all Kumbh Melas conducted at the four centers: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik. During the Shahi Snan, their unique style is evident as they enthusiastically enter the cold waters of the Triveni Sangam, spraying water joyfully in transcendental bliss. Like their male counterparts, female Naga sadhus also represent unwavering faith, devotion, and dedication. For them, the Kumbh Mela bath signifies the merging of the earthly and divine realms and a journey to an unknown world.