Story By: Dr. Sanjay Singh, Haridvar

KHADAS IN MAHA KUMBH

The ongoing Maha Kumb Mela in Haridwar brings a number of Naga Sadus and various other sages practicing certain values, performing various rituals, staying and accommodating themselves in different camps or Akhadas. Akhadas literally mean "wrestling arena.

Origin of Akhadas

Akhadas came into existence in 8th century AD when Adi Shankaracharya established seven Akhadas namely Mahanirvani, Niranjani, Juna, Atal, Avahan, Agni and Anand Akhara with an aim to strengthen the Hindu religion and unite those practicing different rituals, customs and beliefs. At present, there are 3 major Akharas: Sanyasi, Bairagi and Nirmal and 3 minor Akharas (Atal affiliated with Mahanirvani, Anand affiliated with Niranjani, Avahan affiliated with Juna). Furthermore there is one small Brahmachari Akhara named Agni, affiliated to Juna. Akharas are divided into different camps according to the concept of God they worship. Shaiva Akharas for followers of Lord Shiva, Vaishnava or Vairagi Akhara for followers of Lord Vishnu and Kalpwasis for followers of Lord Brahma.An Akhara is further divided in 8 davas (divisions) and 52 marhis (centers). Each Marhi performs its spiritual activities under a Mahant. The top administrative body of the Akhara is Shree Panch (the body of five), representing Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva. Shakti and Ganesha. The biggest Akhara - regarding the number of the Sadhus in it - is Juna, then Niranjani and then Mahanirvani. The head of an Akhara is regarded as Acharya Mahamandaleshwar, followed by other Mahamandaleshwaras, Mandaleshwaras and Shree Mahants. On the main bathing dates, These sadhus, belonging to various camps take dip at holy Ganga ji first and then the ordinary pilgrims are allowed to take bath in the river. During the ‘Shahi Snan’ thousands of devotees assemble near the road sides to get a glimpse of the procession of ascetics parading amid tight security as they make their way to the ghats.
List of Akhadas

- Sanyasi
· Shri Taponidhi Niranjani Akhada Panchayati
· Shri Panchayati Anand Akhada
· Shri Panchadashnam Juna Akhada
· Shri Panch Ahvan Akhada
· Shri Agni Akhada
· Shri Panchayat Akhada Mahanirvani
· Shri Panch Atal Akhada
- Bairagi Akhada
· Shri Nirvani Akhada
· Shri Digambar Akhada
· Shri Nimrohi Akhada
- Nirmal Akhada
· Shri Panchayati Akhada
· Shri Udasin Panchayati Naya Akhada
· Shri Nirmal Panchayati Akhada

About NAGA BABA

During the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar, the Naga Babas could be seen performing different types of yogasanas. These sadhus make a pilgrimage to the Kumbh Mela to perform various types of Yogic asanas, Sashtang Dandthvad being a most prominent one. The purpose of this Yogic asana is to let the whole body prostrate. The Naga Babas are also seen wearing numerous Rudraksha beads, believed to posses positive healing powers according to the Hindu mythology. These are in actuality the beads of the Rudraksha tree. They believe that wearing 11,000 Rudraksha beads will help them attain the form of Lord Shankara. In the akhada (or camp) of Naga Babas, they indulge in smoking 'chilum', a pot of clay to hold bhang, the narcotic marijuana. The consumption of bhang is also considered to be a part of the rituals performed by the Naga Babas. The sadhus hold the view that doing so will lead them to nirvana, meaning the final emancipation of the soul. Pilgrims also flock to the akhadas of Naga Babas in large number.

MAHA KUMBH 2010

MAHA KUMBH 2010

The 90 days long ,Maha Kumbh 2010 Festival started from 14th Jan. to 14 Apr. 2010, Haridwar attracted millions of tourists, pilgrims and foreign nationals. The congregation of the Naga Sadhus attracted the attention of all due to their out-of-the-world appearance and extraordinary rituals. Tourists from every corner of the world flocked to Haridwar during the Kumbh mela season to watch these Naga Baba meditate and perform other rituals. The identification features of this sect of sadhus include being naked, long knotty hair and body smeared with ashes. These Naga Sadhus belong to different 'akhadas', meaning camps. A number of akhadas participated in the Haridwar Kumbh mela 2010, each akhada has its own group of Naga Babas. Living life in the most unconventional way, the Naga Sadhus follow their own style and enjoy it too without caring about the world at all.