The Sadhu Orders

The 13 Akharas

An Akhara is a monastic institution uniting sadhus (ascetics) under a shared spiritual tradition and discipline — centres of learning, spirituality, and governance for their members. Thirteen principal akharas take part in the Kumbh Mela, grouped into three traditions, and their processions lead the Shahi Snan.

Quick Answer

13 akharas take part in the Kumbh Mela's Shahi Snan — 7 Shaiva (Sanyasi) akharas devoted to Lord Shiva, 3 Vaishnava (Bairagi) akharas devoted to Lord Rama, and 3 Udasin akharas blending Hindu and Sikh monastic tradition. Shri Panchdashnam Juna Akhara is the largest by membership; Shri Panchayati Akhara Mahanirvani is the oldest. Every akhara, with its meta description, headquarters, and presiding deity, is listed below.

General Kumbh Mela sadhu photography shown below — these images are not attributed to any one specific Akhara (no reliable public source identifies photos by individual Akhara), but illustrate the sadhus who take part across all traditions.

Devotees of Lord Shiva

Shaiva Akharas

Juna Akhara (one of the largest, known for strict discipline and many Naga sadhus), Maha Nirvani, Niranjani, Atal, Avahan, Agni, Anand Akhara.

Devotees of Lord Vishnu

Vaishnava Akharas

Nirmohi Akhara, Digambar Akhara, Nirvani Akhara.

Blend Hindu and Sikh teachings, emphasising a detached way of life

Udasin Akharas

Bada Udasin Akhara, Naya Udasin Akhara, Nirmal Akhara.

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All 13 Akharas, One by One

Each akhara's tradition, presiding deity, headquarters, and what makes it distinct — grouped by Shaiva, Vaishnava, and Udasin lineage.

🕉️ Shaiva (Sanyasi) Akharas — Devotees of Lord Shiva

Seven akharas of the Dashanami monastic order, tracing back to Adi Shankaracharya's reforms.

Shri Panchayati Akhara Mahanirvani

The oldest of the 13 akharas, tracing its roots to the 8th-century reforms of Adi Shankaracharya, with akhara centres at all four Kumbh cities.

Ishta Devata: Kapil Muni & Lord Shiva

Headquarters: Kankhal (Haridwar), with a Nashik centre near Ramkund

Regarded as the earliest-organised of the Dashanami Sanyasi akharas, part of the monastic order Adi Shankaracharya is credited with systematising.

Traditionally leads or ranks first in Shahi Snan processions at several Kumbh sites, reflecting its seniority among the Shaiva akharas.

Akhara elders in ceremonial procession, Kumbh Mela (illustrative) — Wikimedia Commons

Shri Panchayati Akhara Niranjani

One of the largest and most scholarly Shaiva akharas, historically associated with learning, debate, and a strong presence of Mahamandaleshwars.

Ishta Devata: Lord Kartikeya (Sri Kartik Swami)

Headquarters: Prayagraj, with an akhara centre in Nashik

A senior Dashanami akhara known through history for producing respected scholar-ascetics alongside its warrior-sadhu tradition.

Maintains an unusually large number of Mahamandaleshwars (senior monastic heads) relative to other akharas.

A sadhu at his Kumbh Mela camp (illustrative) — Photo: Michael T Balonek / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Shri Panchdashnam Juna Akhara

The largest akhara by membership, famous for its Naga sadhus and Kina Ram Aghori lineage, drawing the biggest crowds at every Shahi Snan.

Ishta Devata: Lord Dattatreya

Headquarters: Varanasi (Kashi)

Formed by merging several older ascetic orders (hence "Juna" — old/ancient), it grew into the single largest akhara in number of sadhus.

Home to the largest concentration of Naga sadhus — ash-smeared, sky-clad ascetics — and the Aghori sect associated with Kina Ram.

A Naga Sadhu with a trident at Kumbh Mela (illustrative) — Wikimedia Commons

Shri Panchayati Akhara Atal

A Ganesha-devoted akhara formed as an offshoot of Mahanirvani, named after a young ascetic renowned for extraordinary tapasya.

Ishta Devata: Lord Ganesha

Headquarters: Prayagraj, akhara centre in Nashik

Separated from Mahanirvani; its name honours Atal Muni, a young sadhu whose intense penance is central to the akhara's founding story.

The only major akhara with Ganesha, remover of obstacles, as its primary ishta devata rather than Shiva directly.

A sadhu with a rudraksha headdress, Kumbh Mela (illustrative) — Photo: Michael T Balonek / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Shri Panchayati Akhara Awahan

A comparatively smaller Shaiva akhara known for its close historical ties to Nepal's ascetic orders and Pashupatinath tradition.

Ishta Devata: Lord Shiva (Pashupatinath association)

Headquarters: Prayagraj

Maintains long-standing links with Nepali sadhu lineages connected to the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu.

One of the smaller akharas by numbers, but historically influential through its cross-border monastic ties.

A decorated sadhu during a Kumbh Mela procession (illustrative) — Wikimedia Commons

Shri Panchagni Akhara

The akhara most associated with the Panchagni (five-fire) austerity — sadhus who practise sitting amid five ritual fires in extreme penance.

Ishta Devata: Lord Shiva as Agni-associated Rudra

Headquarters: Prayagraj

Named for the Panchagni Tapasya, an extreme austerity performed surrounded by four fires beneath the summer sun as the fifth.

Sadhus of this akhara are the ones most commonly photographed performing the five-fire penance during the Mela.

A sacred fire ritual (illustrative of the Panchagni tradition) — Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Shri Panchayati Akhara Anand

A comparatively younger Shaiva akhara built around Vedic ritual and traditional yagna practice within the Dashanami order.

Ishta Devata: Lord Shiva

Headquarters: Prayagraj, akhara centre in Nashik

Formed later than the other six Shaiva akharas, filling out the full complement of seven Sanyasi orders that take part in the Kumbh.

Places particular emphasis on Vedic yagna and fire-ritual practice within its daily monastic routine.

Naga Sadhu performing Agni Pooja at camp, Kumbh Mela (illustrative) — Wikimedia Commons

🪷 Vaishnava (Bairagi) Akharas — Devotees of Lord Rama

Three akharas of the Ramanandi tradition, historically linked to Ayodhya's Vaishnava monastic centres.

Shri Digambar Ani Akhara

A Vaishnava (Bairagi) akhara devoted to Lord Rama, whose sadhus traditionally observe minimal clothing as a mark of renunciation.

Ishta Devata: Lord Rama

Headquarters: Ayodhya, akhara centre in Nashik near Ramkund

Part of the Ramanandi Vaishnava monastic tradition, one of the three Bairagi (Vaishnava ascetic) akharas.

Its name — "Digambar", sky-clad — reflects the same renunciate minimalism as Shaiva Naga sadhus, but within a Vaishnava lineage.

Hanuman Garhi Temple, Ayodhya — the Bairagi akharas' historic headquarters area — Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

Shri Nirvani Ani Akhara

One of the three Bairagi akharas of the Ramanandi order, historically prominent in the defence of Ayodhya's Vaishnava monastic centres.

Ishta Devata: Lord Rama & Hanuman

Headquarters: Ayodhya, akhara centre in Nashik

Grew alongside Digambar and Nirmohi as one of the militarised Bairagi orders that historically protected Vaishnava temple property.

Known for a strong Hanuman-devotion tradition alongside its primary Rama worship.

Hanuman Garhi Temple entrance, Ayodhya — Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

Shri Nirmohi Ani Akhara

A Ramanandi Vaishnava akhara long associated with the Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi site and traditional temple custodianship.

Ishta Devata: Lord Rama

Headquarters: Ayodhya, akhara centre in Nashik

One of the oldest Bairagi orders, historically recognised as a party with a direct interest in Ayodhya's Ram Janmabhoomi temple complex.

Carries a long institutional history as a temple-custodian order, distinct from the more purely ascetic akharas.

Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir, Ayodhya — Wikimedia Commons

☸️ Udasin Akharas — Hindu-Sikh Monastic Tradition

Three akharas descending from Sri Chand, elder son of Guru Nanak, blending Hindu renunciation with Sikh scriptural roots.

Naya Udasin Akhara

A monastic order in the Udasin tradition founded by Guru Nanak's son Sri Chand, blending Hindu renunciation with Sikh philosophical roots.

Ishta Devata: Lord Shiva & Guru Nanak's teachings

Headquarters: Prayagraj

The Udasin sect traces itself to Sri Chand, elder son of Guru Nanak, who chose the ascetic path over succession.

One of two Udasin akharas that split administratively (Naya/"new" and Bada/"old") while sharing the same founding philosophy.

Historical photograph of a Sikh fakir, possibly Udasi or Nirmala, Lahore — Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Shri Panchayati Bada Udasin Akhara

The senior of the two Udasin akharas, representing a centuries-old tradition that formally bridges Hindu and Sikh monastic practice.

Ishta Devata: Lord Shiva & Guru Nanak's teachings

Headquarters: Prayagraj

The elder ('Bada') branch of the Udasin order, recognised as senior to Naya Udasin Akhara within the same lineage.

Its sadhus are visibly distinct at the Mela for combining Hindu ascetic dress with Sikh scriptural elements in their practice.

Harmandir Sahib (the Golden Temple), Amritsar — the Udasin tradition's spiritual home region — Wikimedia Commons

Shri Nirmal Panchayati Akhara

Rooted in the Sikh Nirmala tradition of scholar-warriors, the third Udasin-aligned akhara, known for its emphasis on scriptural learning.

Ishta Devata: Guru Granth Sahib's teachings & Lord Shiva

Headquarters: Amritsar / Patiala tradition, akhara centre at Kumbh sites

The Nirmala order is traditionally said to descend from scholars sent out by Guru Gobind Singh to study Sanskrit texts.

The most explicitly Sikh-rooted of the three Udasin-tradition akharas, reflecting Sanatan Dharma's living overlap with Sikh monasticism.

Mural inside a Nirmala Sikh gurdwara, Punjab (illustrative) — Wikimedia Commons

Sources

What Are The 13 Akharas? Significance & Role at Kumbh Mela Nashik Kumbh Mela Akharas: History, Types & Role in Shahi Snan

Frequently Asked Questions

How many akharas take part in the Kumbh Mela?

Thirteen akharas are officially recognised and take part in the Kumbh Mela's Shahi Snan processions — seven Shaiva (Sanyasi), three Vaishnava (Bairagi), and three Udasin akharas.

Which is the largest akhara?

Shri Panchdashnam Juna Akhara is the largest by membership, and is famous for having the most Naga sadhus of any akhara.

What is the difference between Shaiva and Vaishnava akharas?

Shaiva akharas are devoted to Lord Shiva and belong to the Dashanami Sanyasi monastic order; Vaishnava (Bairagi) akharas are devoted to Lord Rama and belong to the Ramanandi tradition. Udasin akharas blend Hindu ascetic practice with teachings from the Sikh Udasin lineage founded by Sri Chand, son of Guru Nanak.

What is a Naga Sadhu?

A Naga Sadhu is an ash-smeared, unclothed ascetic belonging chiefly to the Shaiva akharas (most visibly Juna Akhara), who has renounced all worldly possessions, including clothing, as the ultimate expression of detachment.

Do akharas bathe together during the Shahi Snan?

No — each akhara processes and bathes in a fixed order of seniority, Shaiva and Vaishnava akharas separately, and householder pilgrims enter the water only after every akhara has completed its snan.

What is Peshwai?

Peshwai is the grand ceremonial procession in which an akhara's sadhus, elephants, horses, and chariots parade into the Kumbh Mela grounds ahead of the festival — one of the most visually striking events of the whole Mela.

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