Preparations for Prayagraj Maha Kumbh-2025 are in full swing. Meanwhile, sages and ascetics from many Akharas are coming to participate in the world’s largest religious assembly. Akhara is a place of practice with facilities for boarding, lodging and training, both in the context of Indian martial artists or a Sampradaya (tradition, spiritual lineage, sect or religious system) monastery for religious monks.
Bhairav Akhara is among these akharas. It is also called Panch Dashnam Juna Akhara and is the biggest of the 13 akharas. This is an akhara of Naga sanyasis (warrior monks and worshippers of Lord Shiva also known for their ash-smeared bodies) and holds the glorious history of spirituality and prowess. It is also a reason why Naga ascetics always carry weapons with them including sword, trishul, spear and farsa. They have reportedly fought wars with all the invading forces from the Mughals to the British. There is also an armory in the Juna Akhara, which houses weapons as old as 400 years. Naga sadhus leave their abode with these weapons during Kumbh celebrations.
Purpose of setting up Juna Akhara
Juna Akhara is one of the seven Akharas of the Shaivite Sect. It was established in Karnaprayag, Uttarakhand in 1145 AD, and the first monastery was built there as well. However, some Hindu scholars believe that it was founded in 1259 and was registered in government records in 1860. Lord Shiva or his Rudra avatar, Lord Dattatreya, is the idol of Juna Akhara. Its headquarters and center are located in Varanasi, while the ashram was constructed close to the Mahamaya temple in Haridwar.
Moreover, the Akhara is situated in all major Hindu cities including Ujjain. There are around 5 lakh Naga sadhus in the Akharas. The Akhara was set up to challenge the dominance of the Jain and Buddhist sects. The Naga sadhus were trained in the arts of war and weapons along with being well-versed in scriptures to help in the rise of Hinduism and the Akhara has been running since then. It was formed under the guidance of Adi Shankaracharya and later fought against the Muslim invaders.
Struggles against Abdali, Nizam and Mughals
According to legend, the Naga sadhus of the Akhara defended the temples and monasteries by resisting the Mughals. It is also stated that Ahmad Shah Abdali, an Afghan conqueror and tyrant, proceeded to pillage Gokul after plundering Mathura-Vrindavan, but the Nagas stopped him. As a result, his dream to loot Gokul remained unfulfilled. Naga sadhus also launched a fierce conflict with the Nizam of Junagadh in Gujarat.
The Nizam and his army were routed by the Nagas. He was also reported to be impressed by the military skill of the sadhus. He eventually had to bow before them and invite them to a treaty. The guardian of the Juna Akhara, Mahant Hari Giri, disclosed that the akhara’s sanyasis visited the Nizam to negotiate a treaty. They were invited over dinner under the pretext of handing over Junagadh to them. However, he poisoned their food and killed them. Hundreds of sanyasis lost their lives as a result and those who survived created Juna Akhara.
The valor of the Naga ascetics is narrated in another tale. Jahangir, the Mughal invader, is rumored to have planned to attend the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela. The Shaivite and Vaishnava ascetics then constructed a pyramid together and engaged in a covert battle from it. This involved a monk ascending the pyramid who used a knife to stab Jahangir. Their rage for the Mughals was irrepressible. Ashta Kaushal Mahant Yogananda Giri of Panch Dashnam Juna Akhara highlighted that the Naga monks who carry arms and weapons fought against the Mughals. This was followed by their revolt during the rule of the British. He added, “We call these weapons scissors, which are revered by us.”
How does one become a Naga sadhu
One must complete a 12-year training ritual to become a sanyasi of the Akhara. A person who makes this commitment is known as a Brahmachari. The individual then learns the Akhara’s customs and regulations during brahmacharya. One must serve the guru (Spiritual teacher and guide) throughout this time. The Brahmachari is initiated as a Naga sadhu in the Kumbh after the 12-year commitment is honored.
In the beginning, the guru administers the initiation amidst sacred chants and other religious rituals after which victory rites are performed followed by pind daan and other sacrificial rituals to mark the renunciation from material attachments. The process of becoming a Naga sanyasi begins after obtaining Ahuti Diksha. The sanyasi is welcomed into the fold after all the sadhus are assembled under the Dharma Dhwaj (symbol of Sanatan) during the ceremony.
The Digambara, a different guru, is named at this period. Nagas are then sent to work in the Akhara. Usually, Nagas wear Rudraksha and other ornaments around their necks and bodies as well as carry a sword, conch, and trishul in their hands.
