The Mela draw: Kumbh’s famous akhadas
CONGREGATION Millions participate in Kumbh Mela, but it is the akhadas which steal the show with the pomp and pageantry
One of Hinduism holiest events, the Kumbh Mela, opens on Tuesday in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. Millions are expected to visit the event, held at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers, until March 4. HT brings you a snapshot of the main akhadas (Hindu religious groups) taking part in the event. Kumbhandmahakumbhmela.thenumber 52 symbolises the 52 houses of seers to which the Shaivite akhadas belong. Headquarters: Varanasi
Specialty: One of three oldest Akhadas Following: Shaivites (Followers of Shiva) Head: Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Vishwatmanand Saraswati
The Akhada is run by a 12-member administrative body with Shreemahant Swami Satyamgiri as the main head for the Kumbh Mela 2019 and claims to be among the three oldest akhadas. The akhada worships Lord Ganesha and the holy symbols of Surya Prakash Bhala and Bhairva Prakash Bhala. The seers of the Atal Akhada are also called Atal Badshah. In the Kumbh Mela, Atal Akhada conduct an ordination ceremony of Naga sadhus in the second Shahi Snan (Royal bath). Mahant Raghumuni, Shree Mahant Durgadas and Shree Mahant Advaitanand. nised by the Akhil Bharatiya
Akhada Parishad. Two members, who have been appointed by the Shree Panch, run the administrative body of the akhada. They are, Mahant Rajendra Das and Mahant Ramji Das. The Nirmohi akhada worships Lord Hanuman and was formed in Vrindavan, uniting 18 Vaishnav groups and four sects with common ideologies. Headquarters: Haridwar
Specialty: Red colour flag
Following: Vaishnav
Head: Governed by members of Shree Panch
Shree Panch Nirvani Ani Akhada worships Lord Hanuman as its presiding deity. The members who represent the administrative body of the Shree Panch Nirvani Ani Akhada are Mahant Dharamdasji and Mahant Mohandas ji. They also represent the akhada in the Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad. The seers stand out in the way they apply tilak on their forehead. akhada has close ties with Sikhism, especially Khalsi Sikhs. Guru Gobind Singh had sent a batch of five saffron robe seers (Panch Nirmal Gaurik) to learn the Vedas, Vedang and Dharma-shastra to Varanasi. However, after learning, these seers are believed to have formed their own sect by the name of Nirmal Sampraday. The akhara was established at Kankhal near Haridwar. Headquarters: Haridwar
Specialty: Considered the oldest monastic order
Following: Shaivites
Head: Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Shivendrapuri Ji Maharaj
The deity of this Akhada is Dattatreya and it has offices and ashrams spread across the country including Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, UP and Bihar. As the name ‘Aavahan’ indicates, the saints of this akhada were the first to respond to the call of the Shankaracharya to devote themselves to the defence of the Santan dharm. Headquarters: Nasik, Maharashtra
Specialty: Known for its opulence
Following: Shaivites
Head: Acharya Peetadheeshwar Balkanand
Giri Ji Maharaj
This akhada is considered the second oldest in the country and therefore commands respect among both seers and the followers. The deity of this Akhada is Dev Bhuwan Bhaskar Suryanarayan. It has offices and ashrams spread across the country.