1.
Shri Panch Dashnaam Juna Akhada
BASE:
Baba Hanuman Ghat, Varanasi, UP
FOUNDED IN:
1146 AD (as Juna) previous to that they have been often called Bairagis
HEAD:
Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avdheshanand Giri
DEITY:
Dattatreya
UNIQUENESS:
It’s the largest and very numerous. It embraces anybody who seeks, retains canines as companion
DESCRIPTION:
Aligns itself with the Dashnami sect. Moreover being the most important ‘akhara’ in sheer numbers, it is usually maybe probably the most numerous and is understood to have a wealthy custom of ‘astra’ (weapons) and ‘shaastra’ (scriptures). It’s house to highest variety of Naga Sanyasis, Hatha Yogis and Sanyasins. It additionally embraced newly shaped Kinnar Akhara. Many widespread non secular leaders having centres the world over 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’s the second largest. Focuses on training apart from faith and is understood for its educated seers
DESCRIPTION:
It’s recognized for having educated seers and is dedicated to safety of Sanatan Dharma. Established in Mandvi (Gujarat) in 726 AD. Members of this sect see one another as brothers and deal with 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 many oldest three. Recognized for excessive self-discipline.
DESCRIPTION:
This ‘akhara’ works to advertise moral and spiritual virtues amongst folks. They visualise a ‘sanyasi’ as one holding ‘mala’ (rosary) in a single hand and ‘bhaala’ (spear) within the different. They’ve taken on a number of Muslim invaders as properly. They don’t imagine in caste system or Brahminical order and don’t 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 idea of Mandaleshwar. Upholds ecofriendly residing
DESCRIPTION:
Dedicated to spreading the tenets of Sanatan Dharma, this ‘akhara’ propounded the idea of Mahamandaleshwar or non secular head. The thought was to kind ‘mandali’ (or group) to draw the lots and apprise them concerning the significance and greatness of faith. Their ‘naga sayasis’ additionally undertake ‘mimansa’ (spiritual investigation and interpretation). The pinnacle of this ‘mandali’ was referred to as ‘mandalishwar’ which finally got here to be often called ‘mandaleshwar’. Head of a number of ‘mandaleshwars’ was referred to as ‘mahamandaleshwar’. The akhara was the primary to nominate a lady ‘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 self-discipline and nationalist trigger
DESCRIPTION:
Not like different ‘akharas’, this one doesn’t observe a protocol. A ‘sanyasi’ on the bottom stage of ladder can converse his thoughts freely. It additionally doesn’t observe sure mounted practices like Nagar Pravesh. It additionally picks discovered individuals dedicated to Vedic training and promotion of Indian tradition from society and academia to nominate 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 ascertain their camp in Kumbh
DESCRIPTION:
Aawahan Akhara is touted to be the pioneer of Naga Sanyasis. Mahant Gopal Giri mentioned that when Sanyasis entered a battle. At the moment, Adi Shankaracharya referred to as upon sanyasis of the Atal and Maha Nirvani Akharas to conduct ‘pind-daan’ (a sort of funeral ritual) and rise up for the reason for faith. After the ritual, the sanyasis disrobed themselves (as in the event that they shunned the final layer of consciousness in the direction of the fabric world). Thereafter they smeared their physique with ashes from a funeral pyre, picked a spear and plunged into the battle and gained.
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 with out Naga Sanyasis, takes up social causes like free training, forestation, and serving cows
DESCRIPTION:
This ‘akhara’ includes Naishtika Brahmachari or somebody who vows to stay celibate and dwell with their guru till demise. Adi Shankaracharya appointed 4 kinds of devoted celibates named Ananda, Chaitanya, Swaroopa, and Prakashaka within the 4 monasteries he established. Their duties included the research and contemplation of scriptures just like the Vedas, Puranas, and Upanishads, in addition to performing rituals reminiscent of worship and sacrifices. Over time, the principle objective of this custom turned the first intention of Agni Akhada. Their key targets embody selling faith, defending and advancing tradition, serving faculties, cow shelters, and serve wandering saints
VAISHNAVA
8. Shri Digambar Ani Akhara
BASE:
Shamlaji Kakchowk Temple, Sambhar Kantha (Gujarat)
FOUNDED IN:
1784 AD
HEAD:
Place vacant
DEITY:
Lord Hanuman
UNIQUENESS:
Their nagas put on solely white
DESCRIPTION:
The ‘akhara’ is understood for having most variety of 850 ‘Khalsas’ (equal to Mahamandaleshwars). The naga sadhus of this akhara put on solely white however stay ready to struggle for the faith each by way of ‘shastra’ and ‘shaastra’. They imagine in service and run ‘langars’ and ‘bhandaras’ throughout 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, combating with out weapons. Had contributed to growth of structure
DESCRIPTION:
The seers of this ‘akhara’ stand out due to their distinctive ‘tilak’’. However apart from serving its deity and his devotees, this ‘akhara’ fosters a tradition of wrestling and raises professionals. Many of those seers have participated in national-level wrestling competitions and gained medals. Shri Mahant Gyan Das Maharaj, who turned the president of the Akhara Parishad in 2004, was additionally a champion in Uttar Pradesh and held a number of titles. The ‘akhara’ additionally has a practice of Ni-Yudha or combating with out 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:
Affiliation with Ram Temple motion
DESCRIPTION:
A key participant within the Ram Temple motion and authorized battle, the Nirmohi Akhara follows the Ramanandi sect of Vaishnava Sampradaya. The ‘akhara’ was based by Acharya Ramanandacharya. Folks, together with girls, of all castes might be part of this ‘akhara’ and might obtain essential positions. Ladies can rise to turn into ‘Mahamandaleshwars’ however aren’t concerned in administrative work. Over six lakh seers are related to this sect throughout India.
UDASIN
11. Shri Panchayati Bada Udasin Akhara
FOUNDED IN:
1825 AD
BASE:
Krishnanagar, Prayagraj, UP
HEAD:
Shri Mukhiya Mahant Durgadas (and three different Mukhiyas who head the 4 instructions)
DEITY:
Guru Chandradev
UNIQUENESS:
Doesn’t imagine in caste segregation; contributed to freedom motion
DESCRIPTION:
This ‘akhara’ follows the core rules of devotion, data, and renunciation and stays dedicated to check of the Vedas, Vedangas, and Ashtanga Yoga. They run greater than 100 ‘ashrams’ throughout India. One of many ‘ashrams’ of this sect, primarily based in Sultanpur, actively participated within the Indian freedom motion. It’s claimed that in Kumbh held in Twenties and 30s, they educated revolutionaries as properly.
12. Shri Panchayati Naya Udasin Akhara
BASE:
Kankhal, Haridwar, Uttarakhand
FOUNDED IN:
1846 AD
HEAD:
Mahant Jagtar Muni
DEITY:
Guru Chandracharya
UNIQUENESS:
Dedicated to serving humanity
DESCRIPTION:
Dedicated to promotion of Sanatan Dharma by serving society, they continue to be dedicated to establishing Sanskrit faculties, hospitals, temples, and inns for public welfare. Moreover main pilgrimage websites, in the course of the Ardh Kumbh or Purna Kumbh festivals, the ‘akhara’ gives free meals and lodging to pilgrims whereas selling spiritual teachings. In occasions of pure disasters and nationwide crises, the ‘akhara’ actively contributes to sustaining the nation’s unity and integrity. Throughout Covid-19 pandemic, the ‘akhara’ distributed free meals and medicines to over 5 lakh folks
13. Shri Nirmal Panchyati Akhara
BASE:
Kankhal, Haridwar, Uttarakhand
FOUNDED IN:
1856 AD
HEAD:
Shri Gyan Dev
UNIQUENESS:
Shut ties with Sikhism
DESCRIPTION:
The Akhara was based by Durga Singh Maharaj in 1856 in Punjab. The ‘akhara’ has shut ties with Sikhism, particularly Khalsa Sikhs. It’s also house to Nihang Sikhs. It’s mentioned that Guru Gobind Singh despatched a batch of 5 saffron gown seers (Panch Nirmal Gaurik) to Varanasi to be taught the Vedas, Vedang and Dharma Shastra. Nonetheless, after studying, these seers are believed to have shaped their very own sect by the title of Nirmal Sampraday
(Supply: UP Tourism booklet on Akharas; Article by Rajiv Agarwal of dnaofhinduism.com)
