>Rammuni BadaUdasin at 13:15, 27 May 2021

2021-05-27T13:15:51Z

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{{Short description|Organization of Hindu Sants and sadhus in India}}
{{EngvarB|date=January 2015}}{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2015}}
{{Infobox organization
|name = Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad
|image =
|size =
|caption =
|motto =
|formation = 18th century
|extinction =
|headquarters = [[Ayodhya]] [[Uttar Pradesh]]
|location = [[India]]
|type = [[Religious organization]]
|main_organ =
|Illegitimate offshoot of =
|successor =
|leader_title =
|leader_name = Narendra Giri
|website =
}}
The '''Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad''' (All India Akhara Council), one of the organizations of [[Hindu]] ''[[sant (religion)|Sants]]'' (saints) and ''[[sadhu]]s'' (ascetics) in [[India]].<ref name="A">{{cite web|title=Akhara Parishad welcomes verdict on Ayodhya|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/akhara-parishad-welcomes-verdict-on-ayodhya/story-GoYoZt7toABuouUtCZEEcP.html|publisher=The Hindustan Times|date=2010-09-30|accessdate=2010-10-02| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20101004003017/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Akhara-Parishad-welcomes-verdict-on-Ayodhya/Article1-606592.aspx| archivedate= 4 October 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref name="D">{{cite web|title=Akhara Parishad do not see eye-to-eye with VHP|url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/06/14/stories/2005061410370300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050728104339/http://www.hindu.com/2005/06/14/stories/2005061410370300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2005-07-28|date=2005-06-14|work=[[The Hindu]]|accessdate=2010-10-01}}</ref> The ABAP is composed of 14 ''[[akhara]]s'', or organisations of Hindu ''sants'' and ''sadhus.'' [[Nirmohi Akhara]] (involved in the [[Ram Janmabhoomi]] [[Ayodhya dispute|dispute]] in Ayodhya) and [[Shri Dattatreya Akhara]] are two of the prominent akharas which are part of it.

==Organisation==
The Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad is based on the system of ''akharas'' in Hindu society. An ''akhara'' literally means a [[wrestling ring]] in [[Hindi language|Hindi]], but also stands for a place of debate.<ref name="B">{{cite book|title=What Is Hinduism?: Modern Adventures Into A Profound Global Faith |pages=244|publisher=Himalayan Academy Publications|year=2007|isbn=978-1-934145-00-5}}</ref> There are 14 such organisations based on the form of [[Hinduism]] and [[Hindu philosophy]] they adhere to. Most Akharas are [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnavas]] (devotees of [[Vishnu]]) and [[Shaivism|Shaivas]] (devotees of [[Shiva]]).

==History==
The system of ''akharas'' may date as far back as early 8th century, when [[Adi Shankaracharya]] is believed to have established seven ''akharas'' (possibly 10 as they are also known as Dasnaami): Mahanirvani, Niranjani, Juna, Atal, Avahan, Agni and Anand Akhara. The earliest recorded founding of an ''akhara'' was that of the Abhana in 547 CE.<ref name="B"/> During periods of [[Muslim conquest in the Indian subcontinent|Muslim rule in India]] and later [[British Raj|British rule]], the ''akharas'' congregated and organised together, especially during the ''[[Kumbha Mela]]'' to work for the preservation of Hindu religion and culture.<ref name="B"/> In 1565, Madhusudana Sarasvati started preparing ''akharas'' as an armed [[military force]] to resist invasions and protect Hindus.<ref name="B"/>

==Politics==
{{Hinduism}}
While the ABAP does not participate in electoral politics, it has a position of great importance in Hindu society as a leading Hindu leadership organisation. At times, it has cooperated with the [[Vishva Hindu Parishad]] (VHP), a Hindu religious organisation more openly involved in politics and part of the ''[[Sangh Parivar]]'' of [[Hindu nationalism|Hindu nationalist]] organisations. However, the ABAP has also openly criticised the VHP for raising unnecessary controversies and refused to follow an agenda set by the VHP.<ref name="D"/><ref name="C">{{cite book|title=India Votes: Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha Elections 1999, 2000: Poll Analysis, Election Data, and Party Manifestos|author=Mahendra Singh Rana|publisher=B.R. Pub. Corp.|year=2000|isbn=978-81-7646-139-9}}</ref>

The Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad has encouraged and supported the movement for the construction of a [[Ram Janmabhumi]] Temple on the site where the now-demolished [[Babri Mosque]] stood in [[Ayodhya]]. The place is believed to be the site of birth of [[Rama]], the eighth and one of the most popular [[Avatar]]s(material appearances) of [[Vishnu]]. In 1989, the [[Nirmohi Akhara]] filed litigation regarding the site, and in 2010 their claim was upheld by the Allahabad High Court, which gave the ''akhara'' control of one-third of the site. The ABAP welcomed the verdict, asserting that it would prevent further exploitation of the issue by political parties.<ref name="A"/>

They are known to sanction anyone who misused Hinduism.<ref>https://www.firstpost.com/india/akhil-bharatiya-akhara-parishad-releases-list-of-fake-babas-demands-legislation-against-these-cult-leaders-4029057.html</ref>

==13 akharas==
As of January 2019 there were 13 recognised ''akharas'', with Juna Akhara being the largest.<ref>https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-46780219</ref> Seven of these ''akharas'' were founded by [[Adi Shankaracharya]]. There are 3 types of ''akharas''; Nirvani Ani Akhada, Digambar Ani Akhada and Nirmal Ani Akhada.<ref name="14 Akharas of the Kumbh Mela">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nyoooz.com/features/travel/14-akharas-of-the-kumbh-mela.html/1339/|title=14 Akharas of the Kumbh Mela|access-date=17 May 2020}}</ref>

===Nirvani Ani Akhada===
It has the largest number of ''akhadas'' for the ''[[Sadhu]]'' ''[[Sants]]'' and the [[Naga Sadhus]] as well. There are seven Nirvani Ani Akhadas:<ref name="14 Akharas of the Kumbh Mela"/>

* Shri Panchdashnaam Juna Akhada ([[Varanasi]]): It is the largest of the 13 Akhadas. The Juna Akhada follows the Dashnaami Sampraday of [[Shaivism]] founded by [[Adi Shankaracharya]]. They worship Lord [[Dattatreya]].<ref name="The famous akhadas at Kumbh mela">{{Cite web|title=The famous akhadas at Kumbh mela|url=https://m.hindustantimes.com/india-news/the-famous-akhadas-at-kumbh-mela/story-x5TCnQW9n51cwXkkR4lfJJ.html|access-date=17 May 2020}}</ref> The [[Kinnar Akhara]] (Transgender Akhara) is also under the Juna Akhada.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kinnar Akhara, Group Of Transgender Saints, To Build Ashram In Prayagraj|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/kinnar-akhara-group-of-transgender-saints-to-build-ashram-in-prayagraj-1981107|access-date=17 May 2020}}</ref>
* Shri Panchayati Nirvani Akhada ([[Prayagraj]]): It is the second largest akhada. It was founded in 904 AD in Gujarat. Niranjani Akhada worships [[Kartikeya]]. The Niranjani Akhada consists of a lot of educated persons having doctorate and post graduation.<ref name="The famous akhadas at Kumbh mela"/>
* Shri Panch Atal Akhada ([[Varanasi]]): It is one of three oldest Akhadas. They worships Lord [[Ganesha]] and the holy symbols of Bhairva Prakash Bhala and Surya Prakash Bhala.<ref name="The famous akhadas at Kumbh mela"/>
* Shri Panchdashnaam Aavahan Akhada (Varanasi): It is the oldest monastic order. They worship [[Dattatreya]].
* Taponidhi Shri Anand Panchayati Akhada (Nasik): It is the second oldest Akhara. The deity of this Akhada is Dev Bhuwan Bhaskar Suryanarayan.
* Shri Panchayati Mahaniranjani Akhada ([[Prayagraj]]):The deity of the Akhara is Sage [[Kapila|Kapilmuni]] and they have holy symbols like Bhairva Prakash Bhala and Surya Prakash Bhala.<ref name="The famous akhadas at Kumbh mela"/>
* Shri Panchdashnaam Panchagni Akhada/Shri Shambhu Panchagni Akhara (Junagarh): They are Brahmchari saints. They differ from other Shaivite akharas as they do not practice dhuni (the fire sacrifice) and do not consume any intoxicant and wear janau or the sacred thread.<ref name="The famous akhadas at Kumbh mela"/>

===Digambar Ani Akhada===
It is also known as Bairagi Akhadas. They are Vaishnavas (followers of Lord Vishnu). It contains three ''akhadas'', they are:<ref name="14 Akharas of the Kumbh Mela"/>
* Shri Nirmohi Ani Akhara (Mathura):It was formed in [[Vrindavan]] by uniting 18 Vaishnav groups. They worships [[Lord Hanuman]]
* Shri Digambar Ani Akhara (Sabarkantha)
* Shri Nirvani Ani Akhara (Ayodhya)

===Nirmal Ani Akhada===
It has three ''akhadas'' and they are known as Udasin. They are:<ref name="14 Akharas of the Kumbh Mela"/><ref name="The famous akhadas at Kumbh mela"/>
* Shri Panchayati Bada Udasin Akhada ([[Prayagraj]]): They follow the teachings of [[Sri Chand]], the elder son of [[Guru Nanak]].It was founded in 1825 by Yogiraj Shree Nirvandev ji Maharaj in Haridwar.
* Shri Panchayti Naya Udasin Akhada ([[Haridwar]]) : It was formed by Mahant Sudhir Das in 1846 following a dispute with the Shri Panchayati Bada Udasin Akhada.
* Shri Nirmal Panchayati Akhada (Haridwar): They follow Nirmal Sampraday .It was founded in 1856 in Punjab by Durga Singh Maharaj. It has close ties with Sikhism.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:18th-century establishments in British India]]
[[Category:Hindu organisations based in India]]
[[Category:Hindu religious orders]]

Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad - Revision history

>Rammuni BadaUdasin at 13:15, 27 May 2021