Traditional Hindu Sects and Gurus - ॐ नम: शिवाय ψ

SAMPRADAYAS AND AKHADAS

Hindu Religion consists of numerous SAMPRADAYAS such as SHAIVA (SANYASI), VAISHNAVA (BAIRAGI), UDASIN, NIRMAL, NATH etc. The AKHADA is an armed outfit of the Sampradaya

The word “Akhada”, according to one historical version is originated from Sanskrit word “Akhanda” (constant / continuous / undivided). Its usage started from the need to maintain continuous vigil against the adversaries by the group / outfit of armed Sadhus and Sants specially established to protect their own faith and traditions. Small section / wing of the Akhadas are called ANI or KHALSA

Foreign aggressions as well as intra-sampradaya differences caused growth of the Akhadas (6th century onwards). Over the years, these Akhadas have grown up into an institution like the Mutts and they are managed and run by the office-bearers like Shri Mahant, Mukhya Mahants Sthaniya Mahant (Thanapati), Sachiv,, Adhikari, Karbaris Kothari, Pujari, etc. The members of the Akhadas practice ‘Bramhacharya’ and ‘Virakti’ and they propagate their faith to instill moral, cultural and spiritual values in the society.

NAMES OF SAMPRADAYAS

1. SHAIVA @ NATH SAMPRADAYA

There are 8 Naths and 84 Siddhas in this Sampraday. It comprises of 12 Panthas (all Shaiva Sect) as follows: -

1) Satyanathi

2) Dharmanathi

3) Ramnathi 

4) Laxmannathi

5) Kapilani

6) Aai Panthi

7) Dariyanathi

8) Ganganathi

9) Rawal Panthi 

10) Man Nathi 

11) Pagal Panthi

12) Kakkad Panthi

2. SANYASI SAMPRADAYA

It has 8 Akhadas viz. (1) Avahan (2) Atal (3) Anand (4) Niranjani (5) Mahanirvani (6) Juna (7) Agni & (8) Gudad.

Has 4 Peethas in 4 Dhams viz. (i)Sharada Peeth – Dwarka (ii) Govardhan Peeth – Puri (iii) Jyoti Peeth – Badrinath & (iv) Shrungeri Peeth – Rameshwar

3. VAISHNAV SAMPRADAYA

This sampradaya is divided into 4 categories viz. (i) Shri Sampradaya (Shri Ramanuian), ii) Rudra Sampradaya / Shuddha-advait Sampradaya (iii) Brahma Sampraday (Gaudia,Vallabhai @ Madhva Nam) & (iv) Sankadi Sampraday @ Nimbarki

There are 58 Dwars and 7 Akhadas in these 4 Sampradayas. These 7 Akhadas are (1) Nirmohi (2) Digambari (3)Nirlambi (4) Khaki (5) Nirvani (6) Santoshi (7) Tatambari. However, 3 Akhadas viz. Nirmohi, Digambari and Nirvani are held as major and prominent

4. UDASIN SAMPRADAYA

It has 2 Akhadas viz. Bada and Naya

5. OTHER MODERN SAMPRADAYAS

In 15th Century numerous Sampradayas was formed in the wake of Islamic aggression. These Sampradayas are:- 

1) Nanak Panthi 

2) Dadu Panthi 

3) Bavari Panthi

4) Niranjani Panthi

5) Kabir Panthi 

6) Lali Panthi

7) Dhami Panthi

8) Satnami 

9) Dharanishwari 

10) Dariyadasi

11) Dariya Panthi 

12) Shivanarayani

13) Charandasi 

14) Garibdasi 

15) Garib Panthi

16) Panap Panthi 

17) Ram Sanehi 

18) Anand Margi

19) Ram Piriye

20) Varkari

21) Nirankari

22) Swami Narayan

23) Bij Margi

24) Maluk Dasiye 

25) Ayyappa Margi

26) Khalsa Panth 

27) Vahe Guru 

28) Radha Swami

29) Radha Vallabhi 

30) Kina Rami 

31) Aghori

32) Aiyawari 

33) Bandha Margi

34) Nityanandi 

35) Menhi Sampraday

NAMES OF AKHADAS

(A) SHAIVA / SANYASI SECT (8 Akhadas)

1. SHRI AVAHAN AKHADA

Formed in 547 AD

Prominent Guru: Mahant Brijeshpuri

2. SHRI ATAL AKHADA / SHRI SHAMBHU DASH-NAM ATAL AKHADA

Formed in 646 AD

Prominent Guru: Mahant Udaygiri, Mahant Purushottamgiri

3. SHRI MAHA NIRVANI AKHADA @ SHRI PANCHAYATI AKHADA MAHA NIRVANI

Formed in 759 AD 

Prominent Guru: Mahant Chandrakantpuri

4. SHRI ANAND AKHADA / SHRI PANCHAYATI SHAMBHU DASH-NAM ANAND AKHADA

Formed in 856 AD

Pominent Guru: Mahant Sagaranand Saraswati.

5. SHRI NIRANJANI AKHADA / SHRI SHAMBHU PANCH DASH-NAM NIRANJANI AKHADA

Formed in 904 AD 

Prominent Gurus: Mahant Digambar Shankarji, Mahant Gopi Bharati

6. SHRI JUNA AKHADA @ BHAIRAV AKHADA @ SHRI SHAMBHU PANCH DASH-NAM JUNA AKHADA

Formed in 1156 AD

Prominent Gurus: Mahamandalsehwar Sri Avadeshanandji Giri, Mahant Shantigiri, Mahant Premgiri

7. SHRI AGNI AKHADA @ SHRI PANCH AGNI AKHADA

Formed in 1136 AD

Prominent Mahant Guru: Mahant Ambikanandji

8. SHRI GUDAD AKHADA

Formed in 12th Century (has no traditional right for Royal-bath during Kumbha)

(B) UDASIN SECT (2 Akhadas)

9. SHRI PANCHAYATI AKHADA BADA UDASIN / SHRI 108 PUJYAPAD

PANCHPAMESHWAR PANCHAYATI AKHADA BADA UDASIN NIRVAN

Formed in 1768 during Haridwar Kumbha

Prominent Guru: Manaht Jnyandasji, Mahant Shivgiriji

10. SHRI PANCHAYATI UDASIN NAYA AKHADA

Formed in 1846 

Prominent Gurus: Mahant Vichardas, Mahant Govinddas.

(C) NIRMAL SECT

11. SHRI PANCHAYATI NIRMAL AKHADA

Formed in 1856 in Punjab

Prominent Guru: Mahant Tithraj Singh

(D) VAISHNAVA SECT (3 Akhadas)

3 Akhadas and 18 Anis were formed in 1475 at Vrindavan by uniting 4 Sampradayas and Mandals / Sanghs of the Vaishnavas

12. SHRI PANCH RAMANANDIYA NIRMOHI AKHADA

It comprises following 9 ANIS (Khalsas)

(i) Shri Ramanandiya Nirmohi (ii)Shri Ramanandiya Zadiya Nirmohi (iii) Shri Ramanandiya Maladhari Nirmohi (iv) Shri Ramanandiva Maha-Nirvani Nirmohi (v) Shri Ramanandiya Santoshi Nirmohi (vi) Shri Radhavallabhi Nirmohi (vii)Shri Harivyasi Santoshi (viii) Shri Harivyasi Maha Nirvani and (ix) Dadu Panthi

Prominent Gurus: Mahant Ramdasji, Mahant Rajendradas (both Nirmohi) , Mahant Jagannathdas (Khaki Akhada),Mahant Narsimhadas (Khaki Akhada), Mahant Krishnacharandas (Chatur- Sampradaya).

13. SHRI PANCH RAMANANDIYA DIGAMBAR AKHADA

It has 2 ANIs viz. i) Shri Ramji Digambar and ii) Shri Shyamji Digambar.

Prominent Gurus: Mahant Keshavdas, Mahant Ramkishoredas

14. SHRI PANCH RAMANANDIYA NIRVANI AKHADA

It has following 7 ANIS.

i)Shri Ramanandiya Nirvani (ii) Shri Ramanandiaya Khaki (iii)Shri Ramanadiya Niralambi (iv) Shri Ramanadiya Tatambari (v)Shri Harivyasi Nirvani (vi) Harivyasi Khaki and (vii) Balbhadri.

Prominent Gurus: Mahant Gyandasji Maharaj, Mahant Shivanandji, Mahant Ramashraydasji, Mahant Sanjaydas