Panchayati Akhara Shri Niranjani, Prayagraj – Worshippers of the God of War, Kartikeya

In one of the by-lanes of Daraganj, Prayagraj the ashram of Panchayati Akhara Shri Niranjani is located. It is a second largest Akhara in India and they set up 52 – foot high holy flag in their camp which represents the 52 houses of the saints. Let us explore their primary deity, Kartikeya also popularly revered in India as the “God of War”.

Kartikeya – God of War

Tarakasura was born with just one aim in mind, capturing all the three worlds. Without wasting any time, Taraka performed his great penance to Brahma in return for which he was granted the greatest power in all the three worlds and a boon that only a son of Shiva can kill him. Shiva those days was in deep state of meditation in the Himalayas without any possibility of him waking up.

With his wish granted, Tarakasura conquered the heavens and removed Indra from his throne. With Brahma expressing helplessness, Indra decides to break the tapas of Shiva. He sends Kamadeva and Rati to tempt Shiva with love and music. That attempt ends with Shiva burning Kamadeva to ashes with his third eye. Finally Parvati decides to take matter in her own hands to win over Shiva. Their marriage results in the birth of Kartikeya.

The final showdown happens after Kartikeya is appointed as the commander of the armies of Gods. He together with Krishna join forces to fight Taraka. A great battle ensured in which Taraka was always seen with an upper hand. The other problem was Kartikeya’s hesitation when he comes to know that Taraka is a devotee of Shiva.

During the final charge, Krishna and Kartikeya observe a woman emerging out of Taraka’s head. She announces herself as Shakti who had resided within Taraka since he got his two boons from Brahma. But now since Taraka has committed a lot of sins, it was time for Shakti to leave his side. Taking this opportunity, Kartikeya uses the same shakti to strike the heart of Taraka.

The God with a powerful rage

Kartikeya was angry with his parents and went to stay in a cave away from everyone. He declared that anyone who comes to meet him will be doomed and women will become a widow. Later after his parents convinced him, he allowed people to visit him once a year. There is reportedly only one temple dedicated to Kartikeya which is in Ghatpuri in Buldhana District Maharashtra which open once a year on Kartik Purnima.

There could be another temple located at Jiwajiganj, Madhya Pradesh but that one has temples for other Gods too. Only the doors of Kartikeya Temple is opened once a year.

Kartikeya slain the demon Taraka on the 7th day after he was born. His weapon is a Spear which represent Shakti and is believed to have given to him by his mother Parvati. He is the most fierce and masculine of all the Gods and his known for his bravery. However his appearance is always youthful.

History of Panchayati Akhara Shri Niranjani

Founded in 904 AD in Mandavi, Gujarat by a group of Sadhus coming together. Today it is the second largest Akhara in India. It has ashrams in Ujjain, Haridwar, Trimbakeshwar and Udaipur. They have more than 10,000 sadhus in their following. Each Kumbh there have a procession of chariots, elephants and camels.

Here are a few pictures of their ashram at Prayagraj in Daraganj.