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Home History

Akharas

November 5, 2021
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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.
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Source: Indian Express
Tags: NewspaperPrelims

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