What is the Akhara in Kumbh, what is it considered to be a symbol of?

Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj is going to start from 13th January, the day of Paush Purnima, in which the saints of all the Akharas will reach here and take bath in the holy river. This group of sadhus is called Akhara.

Generally, Akhara is the place where wrestlers wrestle. But do you know why the group of saints and sages in Kumbh is called Akhara. Let us tell you that Adi Shankaracharya has given the name Akhara to the group of sages and saints.

These Akharas of Kumbh are considered symbols of spiritual and cultural protectors. There are a total of 13 Akharas mainly recognized by the ascetics of Shaiva, Vaishnav and Udasin sects. Among these, there are 7 Akharas of Shaiva Sanyasi sect, 3 of Bairagi Vaishnav sect and 3 of Udasin sect.

Astrologer Anish Vyas says that the history or existence of the Akhara is centuries old. It is believed that in ancient times, to protect Hindu religion, Adi Shankaracharya formed an organization of sages adept in the art of weapons, which was named Akhara.

The presence of Akhara in Kumbh plays an important role in maintaining the cultural heritage. Akharas preserve sacred rituals, scriptures and traditions and pass them on to future generations. At the same time, Akharas like Naga Sadhus carry forward the traditions related to war, so that the sacred sites can be protected.

Mahakumbh will start from 13 January and continue till 26 February 2025. During this period, many special dates will fall, which are considered especially auspicious for bathing in Ganga. On these auspicious dates, sages and saints also take bath in Kumbh, due to which it is called the royal bath.