New Delhi: The Maha Kumbh Mela, which began on from January 13 in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj and will conclude on February 26, is considered the world's largest spiritual gathering. During this religious gathering, many devotees, including Akhara saints, are coming in to the Mela from all across the world.
Among many Sainths there are Naga Sadhus who are grabbing the eyeballs of all of the country.
Let's dive into the details to know who these Sadhus are and how many Aksharas are there in the country whom they belong to.
What is Akhada
An "akhada" is a Hindu religious group, essentially a spiritual community with roots in martial arts training, often associated with wrestling grounds, where members practice physical discipline alongside spiritual studies
Akhada is a distorted form of the word 'Akhand', which means complete organisation.
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When the Jain, Buddhist and Muslim sects came into existence in Bharat, Hindu Dharma came under threat. Hence, in addition to the mission of imbibing knowledge, the Akhadas raised weapon-wielding brigades to repel the foreign invasions and named them Akhadas.
In India around 13 major recognized akhadas, with the most prominent being the Juna Akhara, Niranjani Akhara, and Mahanirvani Akhara
Here is about Akhadas:
1. Juna Akhara
Juna Akhara is a Hindu monastic order and one of the oldest and largest akharas. It is known for its strict discipline, spiritual practices, and martial training. Juna Akhara is a prominent part of the Kumbh Mela and is a center for learning, meditation, and preserving ancient knowledge.
2. Niranjani Akhara
Shri Panchayati Akhara Niranjani is one of the most influential Akharas in India, belonging to the Shaiva sect of Hinduism. The history of Shri Panchayati Akhara Niranjani dates back over a millennium. 3. Shri Panch Atal Akhara has a history that spans nearly 1,400 years.
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3. Mahanirvani Akhara
Mahanirvani Akhara is a Hindu spiritual order that is part of the Shaiva tradition. It is known for its ascetic practices, philosophical insights, and spiritual leaders. The Akhara's name means "great liberation" and reflects its commitment to achieving nirvana.
4. Atal Akhada
Another famous Akhada is the Atal Akhada with its base in Varanasi. The Atal Akhada also follows the Shaiva tradition and is all about simplicity in spiritual practice and protecting Dharma with tooth and nail. During the Mahakumbh, the Akhada’s sadhus take part in rituals and processions and live with humility and devotion.
5. Nirmohi Akhada
An Akhada from the Vaishnava tradition, the Nirmohi Akhada has sadhus that worship Lord Vishnu. The Nirmohi Akhada ascetics are known for their devotion to Lord Ram and live with the teachings of the Ramayana.The sadhus of Nirmohi Akhada focus on devotion and the preservation of Vaishnava scriptures. The Sadhus of this Akhada were also a major part of the Ram temple movement in India.
6. Nagpanthi Gorakhnath Akhada
The Nagpanthi Gorakhnath Akhada is a part of the Nath tradition, which is believed to be a mix of Shaivism, yoga, and Tantra traditions. It dates back to the lineage of Guru Gorakhnath, a saint and yogi, and has Nagpanthi sadhus who are known for their dedication to yoga and ascetic practices.
