# Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad

The Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad ABAP (IAST: Akhila Bhāratīya Akhāḍā Pariṣad; lit. 'All India Monastery Council'), is one of the organizations of Hindu sants (saints) and sadhus (ascetics) in India. The ABAP is composed of 14 akharas, or organisations of Hindu sants and sadhus. Nirmohi Akhara (involved in the Ram Janmabhoomi dispute in Ayodhya), Shri Dattatreya Akhara (the largest) and Niranjani Akhara (the second largest) are some 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 Sanskrit, but also stands for a place of debate. There are 14 such organisations based on the form of Hinduism and Hindu philosophy they adhere to. Most Akharas are Vaishnavas (devotees of Vishnu) and 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 Avahan in 547 CE. During periods of Muslim rule in India and later British rule, the akharas congregated and organised together, especially during the Kumbha Mela to work for the preservation of Hindu religion and culture. In 1565, Madhusudana Sarasvati started preparing akharas as an armed military force to resist invasions and protect Hindus.

## Politics

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 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.
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 the Hindu deity Rama. 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.
They are known to sanction anyone who misused Hinduism.

## 13 akharas

As of January 2019 there were 13 recognised akharas, with Juna Akhara being the largest. Seven of these akharas were founded by Adi Shankaracharya. There are 3 types of akharas; Nirvani Akhara, Digambar Akhara and Nirmal Akhara.

### 7 Shaiva akharas

It has the largest number of akharas for the Sadhus, Sants and the Naga Sadhus as well. There are seven Nirvani Akharas:
* Shri Panchadashanam Juna Akhara (Varanasi): It is the largest of the 13 akharas. The Juna Akhara follows the Dashanami Sampradaya of Shaivism founded by Adi Shankaracharya. They worship Lord Dattatreya. The Kinnar Akhara (Transgender Akhara) is also under the Juna Akhara.
* Shri Panchayati Niranjani Akhara (Prayagraj): It is the second largest akhara. It was founded in 904 AD in Gujarat. The Niranjani Akhara worships Lord Kartikeya. The Niranjani Akhara consists of a lot of educated persons having doctorate and post graduation.
* Shri Panch Atal Akhara (Varanasi): It is one of three oldest akharas. They worships Lord Ganesha and the holy symbols of Bhairava Prakash Bhala and Surya Prakash Bhala.
* Shri Panchadashanam Avahan Akhara (Varanasi): It is the oldest monastic order. They worship Lord Ganesha and Lord Dattatreya.
* Taponidhi Shri Anand Panchayati Akhara (Nashik): It is the second oldest akhara. The deity of this akhara is Dev Bhuvan Bhaskar Suryanarayana.
* Shri Panchayati Mahanirvani Akhara (Prayagraj): The deity of the akhara is Rishi Kapila and they have holy symbols like Bhairava Prakash Bhala and Surya Prakash Bhala.
* Shri Panchadashanam Panchagni Akhara/Shri Shambhu Panchagni Akhara (Junagadh): They are Brahmachari saints. They differ from other Shaivite akharas as they do not practice dhuni (the fire sacrifice) and do not consume any intoxicant and wear janeu or the sacred thread. The deity of this akhara is Mata Gayatri.

### 3 Vaishnava Akharas

It is also known as Bairagi Akharas. They are Vaishnavas (followers of Lord Vishnu). It contains three akharas, they are:
* Shri Nirmohi Akhara (Mathura): It was formed in Vrindavan by uniting 18 Vaishnava groups. They worships Lord Hanuman
* Shri Digambar Akhara (Sabarkantha)
* Shri Nirvani Akhara (Ayodhya)

### 3 Udasin Akharas

It has three akharas and they are known as Udasin. They are:
* Shri Panchayati Bara Udasin Akhara (Prayagraj): They follow the teachings of Sri Chand, the elder son of Guru Nanak. It was founded in 1825 by Yogiraj Shri Nirvandev Maharaj in Haridwar.
* Shri Panchayti Naya Udasin Akhara (Haridwar) : It was formed by Mahant Sudhir Das in 1846 following a dispute with the Shri Panchayati Bara Udasin Akhara.
* Shri Nirmal Panchayati Akhara (Haridwar): They follow Nirmala Sampradaya .It was founded in 1856 in Punjab by Durga Singh Maharaj. It has close ties with Sikhism.