Mahakumbh Nagar: The grand festival of Kumbh Mela, which celebrates the eternal Sanatan culture, attracts people from all walks of life, including various sects, religions, and communities from all over the country. Among them are the devotees of the Ramnami sect, hailing from the state of Chhattisgarh, who have come to the holy confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers to take a dip in the sacred waters during the Maha Kumbh.
The Ramnami followers are easily identifiable by the sacred ‘Ram Naam’ (name of Lord Ram) tattooed across their entire bodies. Dressed in white clothes with peacock feather crowns on their heads, they chant Ram Bhajans (devotional songs) as they eagerly await their turn to take the divine dip in the Sangam. Their devotion to Lord Ram is evident in every aspect of their lives, as they uphold the tradition of marking their bodies with His name, embodying their faith.
The Origins and Beliefs of the Ramnami Sect
The Ramnami sect traces its origins to the 19th century in the region of Chhattisgarh, particularly in Janjgir, Bhilai, Durg, Balodabazar, and Saranggarh. It was during this period that the upper-caste Hindus of the region prevented tribal people from entering temples and engaging in idol worship. In response, the tribals began tattooing their bodies with the name of Ram, thereby transforming their own bodies into temples of Lord Ram. This unique form of devotion became the foundation of the Ramnami sect.
The followers of this sect do not believe in idol worship or temple rituals. Instead, they focus their worship on the formless (Nirgun) aspect of Lord Ram. The Ramnami devotees only chant His name (Ram Naam), sing devotional songs (Ram Bhajans), and treat their bodies as temples with the sacred name of Ram engraved upon them. As of today, the Ramnami sect has over 1 million followers, primarily in the districts of Chhattisgarh.
“Ram Naam is the Avatar, Ram Naam is the Boat to Cross the Ocean of Life”
According to Kaushal Ramnami, a prominent member of the sect from Saranggarh, the devotees of the Ramnami sect come to the Kumbh Mela every year to take a holy dip in the sacred Sangam waters. On the day of Mouni Amavasya, a significant date in the Hindu calendar, the Ramnami devotees will chant the name of Lord Ram and take a sacred dip in the Triveni Sangam.
Kaushal Ramnami further shared that their ancestors have been participating in the Kumbh Mela for the last five generations. “Our forefathers have been coming to the Kumbh since the past five generations, and our children will continue this tradition,” he said. This year, around 200 Ramnami followers from Saranggarh, Bhilai, Balodabazar, and Janjgir have come to the Mela. More followers are expected to arrive before Mouni Amavasya to join in the rituals and celebrations.
The Ramnami devotees strongly believe that the name of Ram itself is the divine manifestation (Avatar) and the only means to cross the ocean of life (Bhavsagar). For them, chanting Ram Naam is the only form of worship, and their body, inscribed with His name, is their temple. They do not believe in visiting temples or engaging in idol worship, as their devotion is rooted in the formless essence of Ram.
A Sacred Tradition, A Spiritual Journey
Ramnami devotees consider the Kumbh Mela to be an integral part of their spiritual journey. The rituals and practices during the Mela strengthen their faith and connection to Lord Ram. As they perform Ram Naam Jap (chanting of Ram’s name) and participate in devotional singing, they also commemorate their unique form of devotion, which has been passed down through generations.
Once the Mela concludes, these devotees will return to their respective regions, carrying with them the blessings of the Kumbh and the divine energy of Lord Ram. Their journey is a testament to their unwavering faith and the powerful tradition of the Ramnami sect that continues to thrive even today.
