Prayagraj: Young katha-vachaks (religious text narrators) and yoga gurus are stealing the show at the ongoing Magh Mela. Be it yogacharya Radhika Vaishnav camping at Balanandacharya Kapildev Naga camp at sector no. 3 in Ramanand marg or Acharya Satyam Tiwari camping at Haryana Charkhi Dadri ashram, the young yogacharya and katha vachak have turned to be the centre of attraction at the mela.
Interestingly, a section of devotees who could not visit the Sangam city due to the Covid-19 pandemic, get to interact with the young gurus online and listen to the religious discourses on various social media platforms. Social media has also contributed to increasing the popularity of these young gurus.
Yogacharya Radhika Vaishnav, who narrates the Shrimad Bhagwat Katha and Shri Ram Katha at her camp, says, “Devotees arrive at the camp to listen to religious discourses to earn Punya (good deed)”. She added, “The kalpwasis who arrive at the mela are keen on listening kathas during their month-long stay on the banks of Ganga and interact with seers, saints and gurus to know more about salvation, religious texts and spirituality.”
She also said that Covid-19 protocols were being strictly followed at the camps and that devotees are being asked to wear a mask while attending the katha and yoga sessions. Another seer, Acharya Satyam says, “Devotees arrive at the camps of seers, saints and sadhus for discussion on topics related to religion, spirituality, moksha (salvation)."
Daksha Mukund Satyam, Kriyayog trainer and meditation expert camping at Triveni road say, “Devotees of all age interact and want to know more about yoga and meditation”. She added, “We have been giving tips to yoga seekers and devotees about benefits and types of meditation."
Interestingly, the number of devotees listening to kathas and attending yoga sessions has been increasing at camps of katha vachak and yogacharya after the Paush Purnima snan. Devotees, and pilgrims arriving from far-flung states or districts are attending the sessions enthusiastically.
Anamika, a kalpwasi camping at sector no. 3, says, “Interacting with young katha vachak and yogacharya during kalpwas period gives a new experience and we can know more about spiritualism." Hailing from Chitrakoot, she adds, “ I have been camping at every Magh mela for last seven years and have noticed that the number of young katha vachaks and yoga trainers has been increasing with every passing year."