The BBC team had arrived in India a few days before the biggest day of Bhumi’s life. Jain worshippers and ceremonial elephants had walked for days to attend her diksha, or initiation ritual.

The 13 Akharas (Hindu monastic orders) are gearing up to hoist the flag of Sanatan tradition yet again by inducting a new generation of women ascetics through ‘Diksha’ during the upcoming ...