'Akharas' ready to steal the show at Kumbh Mela

Considered an integral part of the Kumbh Mela, 'akharas' set up at the venue virtually steal the show.

The 'akharas' were formed following efforts by the eighth century Hindu seer Adi Shankaracharya to unite organisations of ascetics to protect the 'sanatan' way of life.

Each 'akhara' houses followers of similar religious customs, views and ideologies, who specialise in both scriptures and armaments.

According to Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP) president Narendra Giri, 'akharas' may be categorised into three categories based on the deities they worship -- Shaiva, Vaishnava and Udaseen.

Of the 13 'akharas', seven are Shaiva and three each are Vaishnava and Udaseen, Giri said.

The word 'akhara' came from the word 'akhand' which means "indivisible", he said.

Shaiva Akaharas that worship Lord Shiva in various forms are Shri Panchayati Akhara Mahanirvani (Allahabad), Shri Panch Atal Akhara (Varanasi), Shri Panchayati Akhara Niranjani (Allahabad), Taponidhi Shri Anand Akhara Panchayati (Nasik), Shri Panchdashnaam Juna Akhara (Varanasi), Shri Panchdashnaam Aavahan Akhara (Varanasi) and Shri Panchdashnaam Panchgani Akhara (Junagadh, Gujarat).

For Vaishnava Akharas -- Digambar Ani, Shri Nirvani Ani and Shri Nirmohi Ani, Lord Vishnu is the favoured deity.

Chandra Dev, the son of the first Sikh Guru, is considered as the founder of the Udaseen Akhara, whose followers offer their prayer to 'Om'.

Three Udaseen Akharas are Shri Panchayati Bada Udaseen Akhara, Shri Panchayati Akhara Naya Udaseen and Shri Nirmal Panchayati Akhara.

A five-member committee looks after the order and operations of the organisations.

In terms of strength, Juna Akhara is the largest, followed by Niranjani and Mahanirvani Akharas.

The Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad has been established to promote mutual harmony and settle any dispute among the akharas.

Giri told PTI, "There are three shahi snaans (royal bathing days) out of the six bathing dates during the Kumbh Mela. The bathing will commence at around 4.00 am and will continue till 5.00 pm."