Aupmanyav
Be your own guru
There are thirteen recognized religious orders in Hinduism. A short description here:
(Translation by Google translate from Hindi at
नागा साधुओं की रहस्यमय दुनिया, कैसे-कैसे हैं उनके अखाड़े और रीति-रिवाज)
Mahamandeleshwar would equal an Arch Bishop in Christianity. And Akhara means religious order.
Juna Akhara
Juna means old, old This is considered the oldest religious order. At present, it is one of the largest religious order, including foreign and women Mahamandaleshwar. It is also called Bhairav Akhara. Rudravatar Dattatreya is its Ishtadev.
Atal Akhara
This akhada was established in 569 AD in the Gondwana area. Lord Ganesha is its Ishtadev. Its main seat is in Patan. Only Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas get initiation in this religious order, other people are not initiated in this religious order.
Invitation (Avahan) Akhara
This religious order was established in 646 and re-organized in 1603. Shree Dattatreya and Shri Gajanan are its Ishtadev. Kashi is the center of this akhada. There is no tradition of female sages in this religious order.
Niranjani Akhara
This is a famous religious order. It is believed that the most highly educated Mahamandaleshwar is in this religious order. It was established in Mandvi in Gujarat in 826 AD. God is Kartikeya Ishtadev.
Panchagni Akhara
This religious order was established in 1136. Gayatri is its goddess. Kashi is their main center. The four-bench Shankaracharya is among its members. Only the Brahmins are given initiation in this religious order. It is also necessary to be Brahmacharya with Brahmin.
Bada (Greater) Akhara
This akhada was established in 681 AD. Many people believe that it originated in Baidyanathdham in Jharkhand, while some consider Nildhara as its birthplace in Haridwar. Kapil Mahamuni is its Ishtadeva. Ujjain's Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga worship is the responsibility of this akhada.
Ananda Akhara
This is a Shaiva Akhara, in which no Mahamandaleshwar has been appointed. Acharya's position is prominent in this area. It was established in 855 AD in Barar in Madhya Pradesh. At present, its center is Varanasi.
Nirmohi (Unttached) Akhara
Among the three akahas of the Vaishnava sect, this is the largest akhada. Their number is 9. This akhada was founded by Swami Ramanand in 1720. In ancient times, the sadhus of this Akhada were taught archery and fencing.
Nirvani Akhara
Wrestling is a part of the life of this religious order. Many saints of this akhada have also been renowned professional wrestlers.
Bara Udasin (Indifferent) Akhara
The founder of this religious order Shri Chandracharya is indifferent. They have communal distinctions. The aim of this religious order is to serve. There are 4 Mahants (Seminary Chiefs) in this religious order, which are never retired.
New Udasin Akhara
Some of the Bada Udasin sadhus established this akhara. They are made into Naga sadhus, which is from 8 to 12 years old, that is, whose bearded mustache is not there.
Nirmal (Clean and soft) Akhara
This akhada was established in 1784, which was established by Shri Durgasinh Maharaj in the Haridwar Kumbh Mela by considering it in a big gathering. Shri Guru Granth Sahib is the book of this religious order. Smoking is strictly prohibited in this religious order.
Digambara Akhara
The highest number of Sikhs in this religious order, which is about 431. This religious order is one of the Vaishnava religious orders, it is called the King of Akharas.
What made me post this? Because today a female minister of the Government of India, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, Minister of State for Food Processing Industries, was made a Mahamandaleshwar of Niranjani Akhara. She 'belonged' to a dalit family. Why 'belonged'? Because after renunciation, a sadhu/sadhvi does not belong to a caste, they become 'universals'. The sadhu with white beard is the chief of Niranjani Akhara, Swami Punyananda.
(Translation by Google translate from Hindi at
नागा साधुओं की रहस्यमय दुनिया, कैसे-कैसे हैं उनके अखाड़े और रीति-रिवाज)
Mahamandeleshwar would equal an Arch Bishop in Christianity. And Akhara means religious order.
Juna Akhara
Juna means old, old This is considered the oldest religious order. At present, it is one of the largest religious order, including foreign and women Mahamandaleshwar. It is also called Bhairav Akhara. Rudravatar Dattatreya is its Ishtadev.
Atal Akhara
This akhada was established in 569 AD in the Gondwana area. Lord Ganesha is its Ishtadev. Its main seat is in Patan. Only Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas get initiation in this religious order, other people are not initiated in this religious order.
Invitation (Avahan) Akhara
This religious order was established in 646 and re-organized in 1603. Shree Dattatreya and Shri Gajanan are its Ishtadev. Kashi is the center of this akhada. There is no tradition of female sages in this religious order.
Niranjani Akhara
This is a famous religious order. It is believed that the most highly educated Mahamandaleshwar is in this religious order. It was established in Mandvi in Gujarat in 826 AD. God is Kartikeya Ishtadev.
Panchagni Akhara
This religious order was established in 1136. Gayatri is its goddess. Kashi is their main center. The four-bench Shankaracharya is among its members. Only the Brahmins are given initiation in this religious order. It is also necessary to be Brahmacharya with Brahmin.
Bada (Greater) Akhara
This akhada was established in 681 AD. Many people believe that it originated in Baidyanathdham in Jharkhand, while some consider Nildhara as its birthplace in Haridwar. Kapil Mahamuni is its Ishtadeva. Ujjain's Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga worship is the responsibility of this akhada.
Ananda Akhara
This is a Shaiva Akhara, in which no Mahamandaleshwar has been appointed. Acharya's position is prominent in this area. It was established in 855 AD in Barar in Madhya Pradesh. At present, its center is Varanasi.
Nirmohi (Unttached) Akhara
Among the three akahas of the Vaishnava sect, this is the largest akhada. Their number is 9. This akhada was founded by Swami Ramanand in 1720. In ancient times, the sadhus of this Akhada were taught archery and fencing.
Nirvani Akhara
Wrestling is a part of the life of this religious order. Many saints of this akhada have also been renowned professional wrestlers.
Bara Udasin (Indifferent) Akhara
The founder of this religious order Shri Chandracharya is indifferent. They have communal distinctions. The aim of this religious order is to serve. There are 4 Mahants (Seminary Chiefs) in this religious order, which are never retired.
New Udasin Akhara
Some of the Bada Udasin sadhus established this akhara. They are made into Naga sadhus, which is from 8 to 12 years old, that is, whose bearded mustache is not there.
Nirmal (Clean and soft) Akhara
This akhada was established in 1784, which was established by Shri Durgasinh Maharaj in the Haridwar Kumbh Mela by considering it in a big gathering. Shri Guru Granth Sahib is the book of this religious order. Smoking is strictly prohibited in this religious order.
Digambara Akhara
The highest number of Sikhs in this religious order, which is about 431. This religious order is one of the Vaishnava religious orders, it is called the King of Akharas.
What made me post this? Because today a female minister of the Government of India, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, Minister of State for Food Processing Industries, was made a Mahamandaleshwar of Niranjani Akhara. She 'belonged' to a dalit family. Why 'belonged'? Because after renunciation, a sadhu/sadhvi does not belong to a caste, they become 'universals'. The sadhu with white beard is the chief of Niranjani Akhara, Swami Punyananda.
Last edited:
