Saint Committee chief opposes Harsha Richhariya’s sannyasa:Calls it against tradition, demands probe into initiation process

Harsha Richhariya, who came into the spotlight during Maha Kumbh 2024, will now be known as Swami Harshanand Giri. She has officially taken sannyasa (renunciation). She was initiated into sannyasa at Mauni Tirth Ashram in Ujjain by Mahamandaleshwar Sumananand Ji Maharaj.
However, Madhya Pradesh Saint Committee president Maharaj Anilanand has objected to her decision to take sannyasa. “Contrary to Sanatan tradition,” says Saint Committee chief Maharaj Anilanand said the entire development is wrong and against the dignity of Sanatan Dharma. He remarked that a cat cannot go to Hajj after eating 900 rats. He said that during the Prayagraj Kumbh, Harsha had claimed to take sannyasa but later made statements against Sanatan Dharma. He added that such a person’s renunciation cannot be accepted. He also demanded an investigation into Mahamandaleshwar Sumananand Ji Maharaj, who initiated her into sannyasa. This is not sannyasa, it’s an insult to tradition Anilanand Maharaj said Harsha Richhariya has earlier taken controversial positions regarding religious events. He said such conduct raises questions over her renunciation. He stated that sannyasa is a sacred and disciplined tradition which cannot be adopted suddenly. Those who have lived a different lifestyle earlier cannot suddenly take sannyasa and expect respect. He called it a serious insult to Sanatan Dharma. Demand for action from Akhara Parishad The Madhya Pradesh Saint Committee president has demanded intervention from the Akhara Parishad. He said strict action should be taken against those attempting to target Sanatan Dharma. He also raised questions over the role of Mahamandaleshwar Sumananand Ji Maharaj in granting sannyasa and demanded an inquiry. He said sannyasa is a long process that requires years of discipline and strict adherence to rules. Such cases should be taken seriously Anilanand Maharaj warned that such matters should be taken seriously, especially in view of upcoming religious events in Ujjain. He also indicated that the state government may take strict action if Sanatan traditions are interfered with. Meanwhile, Swami Harshanand Giri described sannyasa as a new chapter in her life. She said that under her guru’s guidance, she has chosen a spiritual path and will dedicate herself to religion, culture, and society. She was seated on the chariot with saints at Kumbh During the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh 2024, Harsha Richhariya was seen sitting on a chariot with saints during the Niranjani Akhara procession. During this time, she was questioned by journalists about becoming a sadhvi. She said she had chosen this life in search of peace and left behind everything that attracted her. She later came into media spotlight and was referred to as a “beautiful sadhvi” by news channels. She later clarified that she was not a sadhvi and was only taking initiation into sannyasa. Father is a bus conductor, mother runs a boutique Harsha Richhariya’s family is from Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. Her father Dinesh Richhariya is a bus conductor, while her mother Kiran runs a boutique. She has a brother Kapil who works in the private sector. The family currently resides in Bhopal. Harsha has worked as a stage anchor and social media influencer and has a strong following on Instagram and Facebook. She has been involved in creating videos promoting Sanatan culture. She is a graduate and has completed a yoga special course from Ahmedabad. She is a disciple of Niranjani Akhara’s Mahamandaleshwar Swami Kailashanand Giri Maharaj.