Akhara & Hinduism

Akhara & Hinduism
Akhara word is often heard during kumbh but masses rarely know about it. Their strength is showcased in the Kumbh Mela, held every twelve years in each of the four cities — Allahabad, Haridwar, Nasik and Ujjain—which commands worldwide media attention, particularly the bathing procession of naked Shaiva sadhus. The akharas get priority to take dip in Ganges during Kumbh & Mahakumbh according to the seniority.
 
What is Akhara:
An akhara is a communal religious monastery. Members of an akhara bear allegiance to the same guru and follow similar modes of worship. As members have renounced the world, arrangements for their boarding and lodging are made by the akhara. The saints of the akharas don’t make discourses.
 
Who founded Akharas:
Jagat guru Sri Adi Shankaracharya founded seven Akharas in 8th century to protect Hinduism. He inspired his followers to study weaponry because he believed it strengthens the mind. 
 
Why founded Akharas:
Traditionally, akharas are known as wrestling pits but through Shankaracharya’s teachings they came to be seen as the centre of debates and religious discussions. In order to protect Sanatana dharma, the king used to seek the help of Naga sannyasis, then give them the estates of some villages.
 
The Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP) is the apex organisation of Hindu Sadhus and Saints who work for the preservation of Hindu religion and culture. In 1565, Madhusudan Sarasvati started preparing akharas as an armed military force to resist invasions and protect Hindus. ABAP has taken the following decisions recently:
 

1. It has resolved to fight legal battles to “free Hindu temples” of Varanasi and Mathura on the lines of Ram Janmabhoomi movement.
2. It released a list of fake babas who malign the Hindu Sadhus.
3. Steps to take religious conversions.

 
How many Akharas:
Mahanirvani, Niranjani, Juna, Atal, Avahan, Agni and Anand Akharas set up by Sri Shankara later divided into 13 Akharas according to beliefs. These Akharas are grouped into three – Shaivites (7), Vaishvanites (3) and Sikh (3).
 
Shaivite Akharas: 
Shaiva akharas include Juna, Mahanirvani, Niranjani, Atal, Anand, Awahan and Agni. In the first six Akharas, caste is not a barrier for new entrants. The ascetics of Agni Akhara claim themselves as Brahmacharis, from the Brahmin caste. These Shaiva ascetics are also called Dashanami--literally meaning “ten names” or lineages said to have been started by the disciples of Adi Shankara, 8th century’s Hindu philosopher. These lineages—Aranya, Ashram, Bharati, Giri, Parvata, Puri, Saraswati, Sagara, Tirtha and Vana—are reflected in the names of sadhus of all the seven Shaiva or Dashanami akharas. They wear saffron coloured clothes.

1. Juna Akhara – Shree Panch Dashnam Juna Akhara with over four lakh sanyasis, is one of the biggest akharas having it headquarter at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. It was earlier known as Bhairavi Akhara. It was founded in 1146 CE at Karan prayag, Uttrakhand. Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj is current Acharya Mahamandaleshwar – the chief authority who was appointed in 1998. Juna Akhara is popular for mysterious Naga sadhus who are appointed during Kumbh and Mahakumbh mela. The Juna Akhada follows the Dashnaami Sampraday of Shaivism founded by Adi Shankaracharya. Their presiding deity is Sri Dattatray. Their greeting chant is Om namo Narayan. The akhara is attached to all the four mutts set up Sri Shankara at Jyotirmath, Dwarka, Puri and Sringeri.
2. Niranjani Akhara – Panchayati Niranjani Akhara is second biggest akhara having its headquarter at Prayagraj. It was founded in 904 CE at Mandavi, Gujarat. Niranjani Akhara consists of a lot of educated persons having doctorate and post-graduation. Swami Mahant Ravindrapuri is current Acharya. Their presiding deity is Sri Kartikeya.
3. Atal Akhara – Panch Atal Akhara is one of the three oldest Akharas having its headquarter at Varanasi, UP. It was founded in 646 CE at Gondwana, Gujarat. This akhara allows only Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas. Mahamandaleshwar Swami Vishwatmanand Saraswati is the current Acharya. Their presiding deity is Sri Ganesh.
4. Avahan Akhara – Panchdashnaam Avahan akhara is oldest Akhara and has its headquarter at Varanasi. It was founded in 547 CE. Their presiding deity is Sri Dattatray and Gajanan.
5. Anand Akhara – Taponidhi Shri Anand Panchayati Akhara is second oldest Akhara, having its headquarter at Nasik, Maharashtra. It was founded in 1856 CE. Their presiding deity is Suryanarayana.
6. Agni Akhara - Shri Panchdashnaam Panchagni Akhada/Shri Shambhu Panchagni Akhara has limited number of sanyasis, having headquarter at Amarkantak, Chattisgarh. It was founded in 1192 at Varanasi. Their presiding deity is Gayatri. Ascetics of Agni Akhara should be Brahmins and they should wear the janau, the sacred thread. They are initiated into gayatri mantra. There are about 400 brahmachari saints and one lakh students in Agni Akhara. Agni Akhara is having its headquarter at Junagarh, Gujarat. They are Brahmchari saints. They differ from other Shaivite akharas as they do not practice dhuni (the fire sacrifice) and do not consume any intoxicant.
7. Mahanirvani Akhara - It has 10,000 years heritage. It was founded in 749 CE. Its headquarter is at Kankhal, UP. They worship Kapilmuni. Surya Prakash Bhala and Bhairav Prakash Bhala are worshipped. Surya Prakash is worshipped as the deity of the day and Bhairav Prakash Bhala as the deity of the night.

 
Vaishnavite Akharas, also known as Bairagi or Vairagi:
Vaishnava Akharas are founded by the 14th century philosopher Ramanandacharya. Nirvani, Nirmohi and Digambari are the three major akharas of the Ramanandi order, and all have their principal seats of power in Ayodhya, considered central to their theology as it is believed to be Lord Rama’s birthplace. They wear white clothes.

1. Nirmohi Akhara – This Akhara was set up in 1720 in Vrindavan, uniting 18 Vaishnav groups and four sects with common ideologies. Their presiding deity is Sri Hanuman.   
2. Digambar Akhara – This akhara was established in Ajodhya. This arena is about 260 years ago. Digambar Nimbarki Akhara is called Shyam Digambar and this akhara in Ramanandi is called Ram Digambar Akhara.
3. Nirvani Akhara - It was founded by a saint named Abhayramdasji. It has been the most powerful arena in Ajodhya since its inception. Hanumangarhi is occupied by this akhara. The akhara has four departments of sadhus - Hardwari, Vasantia, Ujjainia and Sagariya.

 
Sikh Akharas:
They wear black clothes.
1.     Shri Panchayati Bada Udasin Akhada - It has its headquarter at Pryagraj. They follow the teachings of Sri Chand, the elder son of Guru Nanak. It was founded in 1825 by Yogiraj Shree Nirvandev ji Maharaj in Haridwar. The sect worships Jagatguru Bhagwan Shree Shreechandra Ji. 
2.    Shri Panchayti Naya Udasin Akhada – It has its headquarter Haridwar. It was formed by Mahant Sudhir Das in 1846 following a dispute with the Shri Panchayati Bada Udasin Akhada.
3.    Shri Nirmal Panchayati Akhada (Haridwar): They follow Nirmal Sampraday. It was founded in 1856 in Punjab by Durga Singh Maharaj. The akhada has close ties with Sikhism, especially Khalsi Sikhs. Guru Gobind Singh had sent a batch of five saffron robe seers (Panch Nirmal Gaurik) to learn the Vedas, Vedang and Dharma-shastra to Varanasi. However, after learning, these seers are believed to have formed their own sect by the name of Nirmal Sampraday. The akhara was established at Kankhal near Haridwar.