The religious city Prayagraj is buzzing with the event of Mahakumbh-2025. The Kumbh event is a unique confluence of Indian religious and cultural traditions and is the largest spiritual event in the world. The grandeur and grandeur of Mahakumbh is not a matter of one or two years or the past few years, but it is a centuries-old tradition. To handle this, ancient traditions and discipline continue to be followed even today. The beauty and significance of Kumbh is created by the Akharas and these Akharas are the maintainers of the traditions.
Tradition of Akharas is heritage
Journalist and author Dhananjay Chopra writes about this in great detail in his book ‘Kumbh in India’ and tells that the Akharas have been able to handle the age-old system and keep it alive because they have also molded themselves into strict discipline. . He himself protects this discipline also. The discipline of the Akharas is alive and has become a legacy today, the credit for this goes to the various posts distributed in the Akharas, in which the post of Kotwal is a very prominent name.
Every Akhara has its own Kotwali
The Kotwali tradition plays an important role in keeping the tradition of Akharas alive. Kotwal is responsible for maintaining discipline and security by ensuring that the rules of the Akharas are followed. In Mahakumbh, each Akhara has its own Kotwali. The special objective of the post of Kotwal is to ensure that the rules of the Akharas are not violated under any circumstances. There are four main Kotwals in big Akharas, who run their respective Kotwali. Whereas in small akhadas there are two Kotwals. These Kotwals are selected at the time of establishment of the Kumbh Camp.
The head of the Kotwali is also called “Chhadidaar”. Apart from this, other assistant policemen are deployed in the camp all the time. These Kotwals not only monitor the cantonment of the Akhara, but also perform the responsibility of keeping the Sadhus disciplined at the time of Peshwai and royal bath. Sometimes additional Kotwals are also appointed during the Shahi Snan.
The tenure of the Kotwal can last till the end of the Kumbh Camp. However, in some Akharas, such as Juna Akhara, Kotwals are elected for three years. Their selection takes place in the initial days of the Kumbh Mela. Kotwali is established near the hut of the Guru of the Akhara, so that it can become the central point of the activities of the Akhara.
A Kotwal’s uniform and equipment are part of his identity. To enable the Sadhus to identify them easily, they have a special dress code. Kotwal always carries a silver handled stick in his hand. This stick is not only their identity but also a symbol of maintaining discipline.
Maintaining discipline in a huge event like Mahakumbh is a challenging task. Kotwal immediately disposes of minor crimes falling within his jurisdiction. These also include punishing the sadhus for indiscipline. The punishments given by Kotwal are traditional and interesting. Among these, Gollathi is considered more difficult. In this the criminal is beaten with a stick. Apart from this, there are other punishments also, but they are like hard sadhana.
Dip in Ganga: Taking a dip in Ganga 108 times.
Service work: Serving in the guru’s hut or kitchen.
Disciplinary action: Made to stand under open sky in cold.
There is no fixed salary for Kotwal, but he gets a lot of respect in the Akharas. Kotwals whose tenure is commendable can also be selected for big posts like Thanapati, Mahant and Shri Mahant. This tradition strengthens the internal structure of the Akharas. During Mahakumbh, lakhs of devotees and sadhus gather. In such a situation, it is very important to maintain discipline and security. Kotwal not only maintains order inside the Akhara, but also takes immediate action in case of any untoward incident.
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They send a message of distress by playing tongs.
Kotwal also uses tongs to spread emergency information. In case of any untoward incident, everyone is alerted by blowing a trumpet.
Minor cases are settled by the Kotwal himself, but serious crimes are decided in the “Jazim” or Panchayat of the Akhara. This tradition reflects the collective decision process of the Akharas.
Jajim means a carpet or a sheet spread on the ground. To administer justice in the Akhara, the arbitrator sits on this, and everyone sits in front of him. The basis of this system is that everyone is equal in the court of justice and only justice remains supreme. That is why it is called ‘Jazim’ system.
Kotwali tradition is a unique example of discipline
The tradition of Kotwal in Mahakumbh is a unique example of discipline and security. This ancient tradition not only preserves the rules of the Akharas, but is also helpful in ensuring the safety of millions of devotees. If you enter any Akhara during Mahakumbh, the first person you will encounter is the Kotwal. The vigilance of the Kotwal and his devotion towards discipline is the basis of the success of a huge event like Mahakumbh.