Akharas

In news- Recently, Mahant Ravindra Puri was elected as the new president of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, the highest governing body of Hindu saints and seers in the country.

History of Akharas

The word ‘akhara’ literally means a wrestling arena, and the akhara system is believed to have been started by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century AD to prepare a warrior class that could fight for Hinduism against foreign invaders.
The reason behind creating a force of monks and seers was that they would not have a family of their own, and hence would not be weakened by materialistic desires.
Initially, there were four akharas, but their numbers increased with time.
Currently, there are officially 13 akharas divided by their belief systems.
The Sanyasi sampradaya has seven akharas – Juna Akhara, Avahan Akhara, Agni Akhara, Niranjani Akhara, Anand Akhara, Nirvani Akhara and Atal Akhara.
The Vaishnava sampradaya has three akharas, namely Nirmohi Akhara, Digambar Akhara and Nirvani Ani Akhara.
There are three akharas which worship Guru Nanak Dev – Bada Udasin Akhara, Naya Udasin Akhara and Nirmal Akhara.

About Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP)-

It was established in 1954 with the main aim of organising and managing the Kumbh Mela.

Being the highest body of Hindu saints and seers, the ABAP and individual akharas have influence in the society, and are generally vocal about day-to-day social issues.

The ABAP is an independent body with its own set of rules.

The akharas have the responsibility of leading religious and intellectual battles without using any weapon, and guiding the society.
Another duty of the ABAP is to promote coordination between different akharas and settle disputes between them.

All the akharas have a system of electing their president based on merit.
For different akharas, the tenure of the president ranges from three to six years.
The akharas do not have a minimum or maximum age limit, and there have been instances where children have been appointed mahant based on their merit.
Election of the Akhara Parishad president, on the other hand, takes place by voting among all the 13 akharas.

Adi Shankaracharya-

He was an Indian philosopher and theologian whose works had a strong impact on the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta.
Shankara was born in Kaladi, Kerala.
His works in Sanskrit discuss the unity of the Atman and Nirguna Brahman “brahman without attributes”.
His works elaborate on ideas found in the Upanishads.
Shankara’s publications criticised the ritually-oriented Mimamsa school of Hinduism.
Shankara’s Advaita shows similarities with Mahayana Buddhism, despite his critiques and Hindu Vaishnavist opponents have even accused Shankara of being a “crypto-Buddhist.
He is also believed to be the organiser of the Dashanami monastic order and unified the Shanmata tradition of worship.
He founded four mathas, which are believed to have helped in the historical development, revival and propagation of Advaita Vedanta.