Sadhus seek high at Nashik Kumbh

‘‘I used to smoke a lot,’’ he says, ‘‘But now I have given up on that due to illness. I don’t even have the strength to walk to Sadhugram Hospital which is only 2 km away.’’

The sadhu came to live here about a year ago and three others joined him soon — Suryabhandas, Badlidas and Sevadas. ‘‘Now, these sadhus and those in the neighbourhood pluck as many ganja leaves they like. These are of no use to me,’’ he says.

Phalahari Baba claims he has attended 25 kumbh melas so far. ‘‘I gave up solid food 30 years ago. I only survive on fruits brought to me by my disciples or devotees.’’

He complains that the government has no concern for him and the other sadhus living in the Pandav Gufa area. ‘‘The government should provide us with water, toilets and electricity. After all, we are holy men and a person like me cannot leave my aasan (seat).’’

Pointing to an unfinished structure, the Baba says his disciples are building a wall around the cave to form an enclosure. But residents say the the wall is being built to hide the ganja trees from public view. There are about 30-40 ganja trees and saplings lining the entrance to the cave.

‘‘The sadhus are always busy smoking. After dusk, they meet in the cave for a puff. Some of them pluck the leaves and grind it into a paste to be mixed with bhaang,’’ says Santosh Langhe, a tea-stall owner. When contacted, police officers said they were not aware of any such activity in the area.

An officer, requesting anonymity, said the department cannot initiate action against the sadhus for growing ganja because it might lead to unrest. ‘‘They are holy men and enjoy some privileges. If we start treating them like ordinary criminals, the action might boomerang on us,’’ he said.