Kotputli, Rajasthan – On April 6, 2025, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah participated in the Mahapurnahuti and Sanatan Sammelan, marking the culmination of the year-long 108 Kundiya Rudra Maha Mrityunjay Maha Yagya at Baba Balnath Ashram in Kotputli, Rajasthan. The event, attended by Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav, and numerous devotees, celebrated the spiritual and social significance of the yagya, which has united communities and promoted environmental consciousness over the past year.
In his address, Amit Shah lauded the efforts of Baba Nastinath Ji, the driving force behind the initiative, for fostering unity across diverse sections of society. “Baba Nastinath Ji has made a great effort by continuously uniting every section of society for an entire year,” Shah said, noting that the yagya, which began on the previous Ram Navami and concluded on this year’s Ram Navami, involved couples from various communities performing rituals every five days. He described the endeavor as a unique blend of spiritual purification, societal harmony, and environmental service, unprecedented in its scope and impact.
The 108 Kundiya Maha Mrityunjay Yagya, held at the ashram located along the Delhi-Jaipur National Highway, has been a continuous ritual over the past year, with participants engaging in sacred practices aimed at nature conservation, the promotion of Sanatan Dharma, and personal soul-cleansing. Shah highlighted how the ashram, under Baba Nastinath’s guidance, has become a beacon of transformation. “Many devotees came here, gave up addictions, pledged to live free from them, and became symbols of social harmony,” he said, adding that their efforts have infused new energy into the Samadhi of Baba Balnath Ji, a revered yogi whose legacy anchors the ashram.
Shah traced the historical and spiritual significance of Baba Balnath Ji, describing him as a “great yogi” who established 84 “Dhunis”—sacred fire pits—across India and abroad, dedicating his life to religious and social upliftment. “After attaining liberation from the 84 cycles of human life and entering Samadhi, this place became a powerful center due to his penance,” Shah explained. He credited the site with offering hope to the disheartened, conscience to the hopeless, and spiritual support to the helpless, while fostering compassion toward voiceless creatures.
The Union Home Minister praised Baba Nastinath for carrying forward his guru’s principles, which emphasize truth, penance, renunciation, service, and a natural lifestyle that includes caring for animals and birds. “Like his guru, Baba Nastinath has taken up projects for folk religion, public welfare, Sanatan Dharma, environmental protection, and social harmony,” Shah said, noting that the ashram’s 16-year tradition of organizing yagyas reflects a deep commitment to these values. He described the Akhand Dhuni—a perpetual fire—as a legacy initiated by a Mahasiddha Yogi and sustained by Baba Nastinath, symbolizing continuity and spiritual energy.
Shah also situated the event within the broader context of the Nath sect, a spiritual tradition that has bolstered Sanatan Dharma through figures like Mahaprabhu Adinath, nine gurus, and subsequent torchbearers. “The Nath sect considers the Dhuni a medium of self-realization, combining earth, water, fire, sky, and air,” he explained, underscoring its philosophical depth. The 108 Kundiya Yagya, with its 108 fire pits, embodies this holistic approach, drawing participants into a collective act of devotion and renewal.
The Mahapurnahuti—the final offering into the consecrated fires—marked the yagya’s conclusion, attended by thousands who had gathered to witness the ceremony and the accompanying Sanatan Sammelan, a congregation celebrating eternal traditions. Shah’s presence, alongside Rajasthan’s Chief Minister and a Union Minister, lent the event a blend of political and spiritual gravitas, reflecting the intersection of governance and cultural heritage in contemporary India.
The ashram, nestled in Pawta near Kotputli, has long been a spiritual hub, but the year-long yagya has elevated its profile as a site of social and environmental action. Shah’s remarks highlighted its role in addressing modern challenges—addiction, despair, and ecological neglect—through ancient practices. “This effort to unite society, instill spirituality in individuals, and serve the environment has never been seen before,” he reiterated, framing the initiative as a model for others to emulate.
As the event unfolded on Ram Navami, a day of religious significance commemorating Lord Rama’s birth, the timing added a layer of symbolic resonance. Shah connected the yagya’s conclusion to this auspicious occasion, suggesting a alignment between the ritual’s goals and the broader ethos of Sanatan Dharma. The presence of dignitaries like Bhajanlal Sharma and Bhupendra Yadav underscored the state and central governments’ support for such initiatives, which blend tradition with contemporary relevance.
The 108 Kundiya Rudra Maha Mrityunjay Maha Yagya, rooted in the chanting of the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra—a Vedic hymn invoking Lord Shiva for healing and liberation—has drawn participants from across Rajasthan and beyond. Its year-long duration, sustained by rotating groups of devotees, reflects a remarkable feat of organization and devotion, credited to Baba Nastinath’s leadership. Shah’s participation not only honored this effort but also amplified its message on a national stage, reinforcing the government’s engagement with India’s spiritual heritage.
As the fires of the yagya were extinguished with the Mahapurnahuti, the event left a lasting impression of unity and purpose. For the thousands who attended—devotees, locals, and officials alike—it was a moment to reflect on the power of collective action and the enduring relevance of Sanatan traditions in addressing both personal and planetary well-being.
