Spirituality has hit the top gear at the Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj. From a classic 1965 Rolls-Royce to a high-end and sleek Audi Q7 or Mercedes Benz, and even robust Range Rovers and Defenders – ranging from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 20 crore – older sadhus from prominent akharas are embracing luxury on wheels.
These plush cars are not only making heads turn on the checkered, metal-lined temporary lanes of the mela grounds, but have given a touch of sophistication to one of India’s most revered festivals.
Social media is abuzz with reels and videos showcasing interesting tidbits of the festival, from striking looks by sadhus and unique appearances to controversies and statements. But, the saints and akharas are reluctant to come on record about their luxury rides and fancy lifestyle.
A majority of the saints in the akharas claimed that most of the luxury vehicles belonged to their seniors, holding the post of peetadheeshwars, maha mandaleshwars, mahants, and mandaleshwars. Only some, it seems, are owned by their disciples.
THE ‘VIP’ ROADS OF MAHA KUMBH
Although these luxury vehicles can be spotted zipping across the mela grounds and its 25 sectors, most are visible on Triveni Marg and Kali Marg in Sector 20 that happen to be the “VIP” streets of the tent city. The vehicles first caught attention during the ‘peshwai’ – the grand procession that marks the arrival of the akharas at the Maha Kumbh. This ceremonial spectacle features cars, chariots, elephants, horses, acrobatics and martial arts.
During the procession, the largest akhara, Shri Panch Dashnam Juna Akhara, and the Kinnar Akhara were the first to lead. Mahamandaleshwar Pavitranand Giri of the Juna Akhara arrived in a 1965 model Rolls-Royce, while Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Laxmi Narayan Tripathi of the Kinnar Akhara sat on a large silver throne during the ‘Devtva Yatra’.
“Indeed, it was a grand entry, which was something beyond imagination at a religious event like kumbh,” said Sudhanshu Shukla, a college student from Delhi.
VANITY VANS, 2 ROLLS-ROYCE CARS WORTH CRORES
Other than the vintage Rolls-Royce, the procession had other high-end cars like Audi Q7, Mercedes Benz, Range Rover and Defender. Apart from these, there were countless other SUVs including Scorpio, Safari, Creta and Fortuner.
Though some of the saints associated with the akharas said some of these vehicles are on rent – as high as Rs 5,00,000 for a day – the remaining ones are owned by priests and sadhus. They said Swami Vasudevanand, a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, owns two Rolls-Royce cars worth Rs 20 crore that were also a part of his ‘peshwai’. Jagadguru Rambhadracharya, head of Tulsi Peeth, has a saffron-coloured Audi worth more than Rs 50 lakh at his camp. The Shri Panch Agni Akhara boasts of a Land Rover Defender, while a striking black Mercedes at the Niranjani Akhara draws significant attention.
