The Mahakumbh Mela, one of Hinduism’s most sacred and grand gatherings, takes place every twelve years. In 2025, millions of devotees have flocked to Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, to partake in this revered event. Pilgrims seek spiritual cleansing by taking a ritual dip at the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers.
This vibrant festival attracts civilians, sadhus, and babas whose unique blend of eccentricity and spirituality makes them a fascinating attraction. This year, too, they are a topic of much discussion. This year, however, the sadhus are gracing the event with their high-end posh cars. Luxury vehicles like vintage Rolls-Royce cars, sleek Audi Q7s, and high-end Range Rovers, valued between ₹25 lakh and ₹20 crore, have added a touch of luxury to traditions and culture.
Social media is brimming with videos and pictures of babas arriving at the Kumbh Mela in their luxurious cars, with all the fuss. However, News18 reported that none of these people are ready to come on record and talk about their vehicles. Many saints in the Akharas revealed that most luxury vehicles belonged to their senior leaders, such as peetadheeshwars, maha mandaleshwars, mahants, and mandaleshwars. Only a few, it appears, are owned by their disciples.
Credit: iStock
The cars have been seen making rounds all across the mela ground, but they are especially visible on Triveni Marg and Kali Marg in Sector 20, the VIP street of the city. These vehicles first caught attention during the ceremonial grand procession, known as peshwai, which marks the arrival of the akharas at the Maha Kumbh. The procession includes cars, chariots, elephants, horses, acrobatics, and martial arts.
During the procession, Shri Panch Dashnam Juna Akhara, the largest akhara, and the Kinnar Akhara took the lead. Mahamandaleshwar Pavitranand Giri of the Juna Akhara made an entrance in a vintage 1965 Rolls-Royce, while Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Laxmi Narayan Tripathi of the Kinnar Akhara was seated on an elaborate silver throne during the grand ‘Devtva Yatra.’
Some other cars, like the Audi Q7, Mercedes Benz, Range Rover, and Defender also, made appearances, along with countless other SUVs including Scorpio, Safari, Creta, and Fortuner. As per the News18 report, some sadhus associated with the Akharas accepted that some of these cars were rented while others were owned by the Akharas. Swami Vasudevanand, a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, reportedly owns two Rolls-Royce cars worth Rs 20 crore. The cars also featured in the procession.
Credit: iStock
Jagadguru Rambhadracharya, head of Tulsi Peeth, also bought a saffron-colored Audi which is reported to be worth more than Rs 50 lakh. The Shri Panch Agni Akhara showcases a Land Rover Defender, while a sleek black Mercedes at the Niranjani Akhara has become a major attraction.
As per reports, Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati arrived in a van worth Rs 1.5 crore. The vanity van used to belong to his late guru Shankaracharya Swaroopanand Saraswati. Keeping up with the Hindu aesthetic, most babas opted for saffron on white-colored vehicles. Interestingly, most cars also had symbols and nameplates, proudly announcing the person or the organization it belonged to.
