Harsha Richhariya, a 30-year-old former media personality and Instagram influencer from Uttarakhand, gained immense attention and thousands of followers after she was spotted dressed as a ‘sadhvi’ in the ongoing Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Netizens called her the “beautiful sadhvi” and the “viral sadhvi” as they followed her on social media, curious about her spiritual transformation.
Richhariya’s photos and videos spread rapidly on social media after her interview surfaced, wherein she was seen donning a traditional yellow attire, with a ’tilak’ and Rudraksha roasary around her kneck, making people believe she is a ‘sadhvi’.
However, the viral sensation has now dispelled all the assumptions surrounding her and clarified that she is not a ‘sadhvi’ and that she has only taken mantra initiation from her guru. Richhariya is a disciple of Acharya Mahamadaleshwar Swami Kailashanand Giri Ji Maharaj of the Niranjani Akhara.
“I don’t know what to say about being given the title of ‘most beautiful sadhvi’, but it is wrong to call me a sadhvi for now…I am not a sadhvi. I have not taken any diksha to become a sadhvi or sanyasi. But I have taken a mantra diksha from my gurudev just like several other thousands of devotees have taken from him. I just do mantra initiation and sadhna and this how my life is like…Because of my get-up and attire and how I have been living people have given me the title of a ‘sadhvi’, but it is not right to call me that now,” she told the reporter.
In the viral interview which surfaced a few days ago, she told a reporter that she had left everything behind two years ago to adopt this new identity as she wanted inner peace. Richhariya previously had a career in anchoring, acting, and modelling.
Harsha Richhariya is an actress,
host & a devout Hindu. That’s it! pic.twitter.com/X2xIbMlNqX
— Narayan Lal Gurjar (@ImNarayanG) January 13, 2025
According to media reports, the Maha Kumbh Mela is a significant part of Richhariya’s spiritual journey and the dip at the Triveni Sangam was deeply symbolic for her. “I feel very fortunate to be a part of this complete Mahakumbh of 144 years with the blessings of Mahadev and Parampujya Gurudev and satisfied myself by diving in the first royal bath,” she wrote on Instagram, after taking a ceremonial dip at the Triveni Sangam during the first ‘Amrit Snan’ on Tuesday, January 14.
Videos and images of her attending the Maha Kumbh in the traditional attire continue to go viral on social media platforms, leaving viewers captivated by her calm demeanor and radiance.
Richhariya’s clarification also came after a few people raised questions on her sudden spiritual transformation on social media. They wondered how she could claim to become a ‘sadhvi’ for two years when her account showed her hosting an event just two months ago. Her post from a Dubai trip, showing her sporting a short red dress also made people doubtful about her claims to be a spiritual leader. She was even accused by some of using spirituality for her personal gains. However, the influencer has now issued a clarification regarding her being called a ‘sadhvi’.
ALSO READ: Who Is Harsha Richhariya? Know About The Viral ‘Sadhavi’ At Prayagraj Mahakumbh
