Kumbh special: Akharas explained | India News
1.
Shri Panch Dashnaam Juna Akhada
BASE:
Baba Hanuman Ghat, Varanasi, UP
FOUNDED IN:
1146 AD (as Juna) prior to that they were known as Bairagis
HEAD:
Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avdheshanand Giri
DEITY:
Dattatreya
UNIQUENESS:
It is the largest and extremely diverse. It embraces anyone who seeks, keeps dogs as companion
DESCRIPTION:
Aligns itself with the Dashnami sect. Besides being the largest ‘akhara’ in sheer numbers, it is also perhaps the most diverse and is known to have a rich tradition of ‘astra’ (weapons) and ‘shaastra’ (scriptures). It is home to highest number of Naga Sanyasis, Hatha Yogis and Sanyasins. It also embraced newly formed Kinnar Akhara. Many popular spiritual leaders having centres across the world affiliate themselves with it.
2. Shri Panchayati Akhara Niranjani
BASE:
Daraganj, Prayagraj, UP
FOUNDED IN:
904 AD
HEAD:
Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Kailashanandji Maharaj
DEITY:
Kartikeya Swami
UNIQUENESS:
It is the second largest. Focuses on education besides religion and is known for its educated seers
DESCRIPTION:
It is known for having educated seers and is committed to protection of Sanatan Dharma. Established in Mandvi (Gujarat) in 726 AD. Members of this sect see each other as brothers and treat their founder as guru
3. Shri Panch Atal Akhara
BASE:
Chaak Hanuman, Varanasi, UP
FOUNDED IN:
646 AD
HEAD:
Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Vishwatmanand Saraswati
DEITY:
Ganesha
UNIQUENESS:
One of the oldest three. Known for extreme discipline.
DESCRIPTION:
This ‘akhara’ works to promote ethical and religious virtues among people. They visualise a ‘sanyasi’ as one holding ‘mala’ (rosary) in one hand and ‘bhaala’ (spear) in the other. They have taken on several Muslim invaders as well. They do not believe in caste system or Brahminical order and do not appoint Mahamandaleshwars for this
4. Shri Panchayati Akhara Mahanirvani
BASE:
Daraganj, Prayagraj, UP
FOUNDED IN:
749 AD
HEAD:
Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Vishokananda Maharaj
DEITY:
Sage Kapilmuni (believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu)
UNIQUENESS:
Pioneered the concept of Mandaleshwar. Upholds ecofriendly living
DESCRIPTION:
Committed to spreading the tenets of Sanatan Dharma, this ‘akhara’ propounded the concept of Mahamandaleshwar or spiritual head. The idea was to form ‘mandali’ (or group) to attract the masses and apprise them about the importance and greatness of religion. Their ‘naga sayasis’ also undertake ‘mimansa’ (religious investigation and interpretation). The head of this ‘mandali’ was called ‘mandalishwar’ which eventually came to be known as ‘mandaleshwar’. Head of several ‘mandaleshwars’ was called ‘mahamandaleshwar’. The akhara was the first to appoint a woman ‘mahamandaleshwar’.
5. Shri Taponidhi Anand Akhara Panchayat
BASE:
Trimbakeshwar, Nashik, Maharashtra
FOUNDED IN:
1856 AD
HEAD:
Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Balkanand Giri
DEITY:
Surya
UNIQUENESS:
Fosters freedom, promotes discipline and nationalist cause
DESCRIPTION:
Unlike other ‘akharas’, this one doesn’t follow a protocol. A ‘sanyasi’ on the lowest level of ladder can speak his mind freely. It also doesn’t follow certain fixed practices like Nagar Pravesh. It also picks learned persons committed to Vedic education and promotion of Indian culture from society and academia to appoint them as Mahamandaleshwar.
6. Shri Panchdashnam Aawahan Akhara
BASE:
Dashashwamedh Ghat, Varanasi, UP
FOUNDED IN:
547 AD
HEAD:
Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Arun Giri Maharaj
DEITY:
Surya
UNIQUENESS:
Pioneers of Naga Sanyasis, first ones to establish their camp in Kumbh
DESCRIPTION:
Aawahan Akhara is touted to be the pioneer of Naga Sanyasis. Mahant Gopal Giri said that once Sanyasis entered a war. At that time, Adi Shankaracharya called upon sanyasis of the Atal and Maha Nirvani Akharas to conduct ‘pind-daan’ (a kind of funeral ritual) and stand up for the cause of religion. After the ritual, the sanyasis disrobed themselves (as if they shunned the last layer of consciousness towards the material world). Thereafter they smeared their body with ashes from a funeral pyre, picked a spear and plunged into the battle and won.
7. Shri Panchdashnam Panch Agni Akhara
BASE:
Girinagar, Bhavanath, Junagadh (Gujarat)
FOUNDED IN:
1192 AD
HEAD:
Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Shri Mat Ram Krishnanand
DEITY:
Gayatri Mata
UNIQUENESS:
Akhara without Naga Sanyasis, takes up social causes like free education, forestation, and serving cows
DESCRIPTION:
This ‘akhara’ comprises Naishtika Brahmachari or someone who vows to remain celibate and live with their guru until death. Adi Shankaracharya appointed four types of dedicated celibates named Ananda, Chaitanya, Swaroopa, and Prakashaka in the four monasteries he established. Their duties included the study and contemplation of scriptures like the Vedas, Puranas, and Upanishads, as well as performing rituals such as worship and sacrifices. Over time, the main purpose of this tradition became the primary aim of Agni Akhada. Their key objectives include promoting religion, protecting and advancing culture, serving schools, cow shelters, and serve wandering saints
VAISHNAVA
8. Shri Digambar Ani Akhara
BASE:
Shamlaji Kakchowk Temple, Sambhar Kantha (Gujarat)
FOUNDED IN:
1784 AD
HEAD:
Position vacant
DEITY:
Lord Hanuman
UNIQUENESS:
Their nagas wear only white
DESCRIPTION:
The ‘akhara’ is known for having maximum number of 850 ‘Khalsas’ (equivalent to Mahamandaleshwars). The naga sadhus of this akhara wear only white but remain prepared to fight for the religion both through ‘shastra’ and ‘shaastra’. They believe in service and run ‘langars’ and ‘bhandaras’ during Kumbh and Magh Melas
9.
Shri Panch Nirvani Ani Akhara Hanuman Garhi
BASE:
Ayodhya, UP
HEAD:
Shri Mahant Murli Das
DEITY:
Lord Hanuman
UNIQUENESS:
Fosters wrestling, fighting without weapons. Had contributed to development of constitution
DESCRIPTION:
The seers of this ‘akhara’ stand out because of their unique ‘tilak’’. But besides serving its deity and his devotees, this ‘akhara’ fosters a culture of wrestling and raises professionals. Many of these seers have participated in national-level wrestling competitions and won medals. Shri Mahant Gyan Das Maharaj, who became the president of the Akhara Parishad in 2004, was also a champion in Uttar Pradesh and held several titles. The ‘akhara’ also has a tradition of Ni-Yudha or fighting without weapons
10. Akhil Bhartiya Shri Panch Nirmohi Ani Akhara
BASE:
Dheer Sameer Mandir Bansivat, Vrindavan, Mathura, UP
FOUNDED IN:
1720 AD
HEAD:
Shri Mahant Rajendra Das Maharaj
DEITY:
Lord Ram
UNIQUENESS:
Association with Ram Temple movement
DESCRIPTION:
A key player in the Ram Temple movement and legal battle, the Nirmohi Akhara follows the Ramanandi sect of Vaishnava Sampradaya. The ‘akhara’ was founded by Acharya Ramanandacharya. People, including women, of all castes can be a part of this ‘akhara’ and can achieve important positions. Women can rise to become ‘Mahamandaleshwars’ but are not involved in administrative work. Over six lakh seers are associated with this sect across India.
UDASIN
11. Shri Panchayati Bada Udasin Akhara
FOUNDED IN:
1825 AD
BASE:
Krishnanagar, Prayagraj, UP
HEAD:
Shri Mukhiya Mahant Durgadas (and three other Mukhiyas who head the four directions)
DEITY:
Guru Chandradev
UNIQUENESS:
Doesn’t believe in caste segregation; contributed to freedom movement
DESCRIPTION:
This ‘akhara’ follows the core principles of devotion, knowledge, and renunciation and remains committed to study of the Vedas, Vedangas, and Ashtanga Yoga. They run more than 100 ‘ashrams’ across India. One of the ‘ashrams’ of this sect, based in Sultanpur, actively participated in the Indian freedom movement. It is claimed that in Kumbh held in 1920s and 30s, they trained revolutionaries as well.
12. Shri Panchayati Naya Udasin Akhara
BASE:
Kankhal, Haridwar, Uttarakhand
FOUNDED IN:
1846 AD
HEAD:
Mahant Jagtar Muni
DEITY:
Guru Chandracharya
UNIQUENESS:
Committed to serving humanity
DESCRIPTION:
Committed to promotion of Sanatan Dharma by serving society, they remain committed to establishing Sanskrit schools, hospitals, temples, and inns for public welfare. Besides major pilgrimage sites, during the Ardh Kumbh or Purna Kumbh festivals, the ‘akhara’ provides free food and accommodation to pilgrims while promoting religious teachings. In times of natural disasters and national crises, the ‘akhara’ actively contributes to maintaining the country’s unity and integrity. During Covid-19 pandemic, the ‘akhara’ distributed free food and medicines to over five lakh people
13. Shri Nirmal Panchyati Akhara
BASE:
Kankhal, Haridwar, Uttarakhand
FOUNDED IN:
1856 AD
HEAD:
Shri Gyan Dev
UNIQUENESS:
Close ties with Sikhism
DESCRIPTION:
The Akhara was founded by Durga Singh Maharaj in 1856 in Punjab. The ‘akhara’ has close ties with Sikhism, especially Khalsa Sikhs. It is also home to Nihang Sikhs. It is said that Guru Gobind Singh sent a batch of five saffron robe seers (Panch Nirmal Gaurik) to Varanasi to learn the Vedas, Vedang and Dharma Shastra. However, after learning, these seers are believed to have formed their own sect by the name of Nirmal Sampraday
(Source: UP Tourism booklet on Akharas; Article by Rajiv Agarwal of dnaofhinduism.com)