Hardwar rocked as sadhvi anointed Parvatyacharya

The holy town of Hardwar erupted in anger on Tuesday as a sadhvi was anointed Parvatyacharya by another sadhvi...

The holy town of Hardwar erupted in anger on Tuesday as a sadhvi was anointed Parvatyacharya by another sadhvi, a position claimed to be equivalent to Shankaracharya in the Hindu religious tradition. While the position of Shankaracharya is associated with Lord Shiva, the newly-created title of Parvatyacharya, according to some sources, draws inspiration from Goddess Parvati.

On Tuesday, Maa Yog Shakti, a Mahamandaleshwar of Niranjani Akhara, conferred the title of Parvatyacharya on Maa Jyotishnanda of the US, despite stiff opposition from the entire Sant Samaj.

The brief ceremony, attended by a close group of disciples of these two women sadhvis, was followed by angry protests by several prominent sants. They tore the posters and banners displayed at the ceremony and had a tiff with the police force. However, by the time the agitated sants reached the place, both the sadhvis had left the town.

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The sants later presented a memorandum to the District Magistrate, demanding stern action against both the sadhvis for violating the sanctity of Hindu religion. “There is no position of Parvatyacharya in Hindu religion and these two women are trying to bring their western thoughts into our religion. This is totally unacceptable,” Triambak Bharati, secretary of the Niranjani Akhara, told The Indian Express.

Maa Yog Shakti has also been stripped off her title of Mahamandaleshwar of Niranjani Akhara. “We have the right to take away the title from anyone who violates dharma and shastras, Bharati said.

A memorandum to the district administration demanded that two sadhvis not be allowed to enter Hardwar. “It is better that they stay outside the country,” said Bharati.

In fact, this was the second attempt by Maa Yog Shakti to confer the title on Maa Jyotishnanda. According to sources, she tried to do it in 1998 but due to stiff opposition from the Sant Samaj, refrained from it. However, this time, despite opposition, Maa Yog Shakti went ahead with it.

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Both the sadhvis left Hardwar after the ceremony and could not be contacted. They have reportedly gone abroad.

“ Now there is peace as the sadhvis have left the city,” said B Murugesan, Senior Superintendent of Police, Hardwar.