Ujjain religious controversy erupts over viral video of Aghori woman

A viral video from the Chakratirth cremation ground in Ujjain has sparked significant outrage among religious leaders and the public. The footage, reportedly shared on the Instagram account of Kali, also known as Nand Giri—who identifies as an Aghori and a Mahamandaleshwar of the Kinnar Akhada—shows a woman holding a sword near a burning pyre. In the video, she claims she will eat human flesh and is seen using the sword to retrieve remains from the pyre to consume.

Local Hindu saints and members of the Aghori community have strongly condemned the act, stating it violates the sanctity of funeral rites and the established boundaries of Aghori practices. Mahamandaleshwar Shailashanand Giri of the Juna Akhada noted that while Aghori traditions involve specific spiritual paths, such activities are meant to be private and should not be performed publicly for social media attention or fame.

Following the video's spread, religious groups have called on the local administration and police to take immediate action and file a First Information Report (FIR) against the individual for disrespecting religious traditions and hurting public sentiments.