Akhara

In its most basic meaning, an akhara
is a “wrestling ground,” a place in the
village or city where young men come
to train, tone, and compete. Such
practices at an akhara are not merely
physical exercise but also a form of
religious practice, since wrestlers
often begin by worshiping Hanuman,
a deity associated with strength and
power. Among the Naga class of the
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Akhara
Boys in Shri Shaku Khashbaug competing in the village akhara, or wrestling ground.
Training in wrestling and participating in competitions are considered religious disciplines.
Dashanami Sanyasis, the word
akhara means something closer to
“regiment.” The Dashanami Nagas
were ascetics devoted to the god
Shiva and who formerly made their
living as traders and mercenary soldiers. These Nagas were organized
into different akharas based on the
model of an army, and here the word
primarily marks group affiliation,
although it can also refer to the buildings in which the group lives. The Nagas
are divided into seven main akharas—the
Juna or Bhairava, Agni, Avahana,
Niranjani, Ananda, Mahanirvani, and
Atala. Among the Bairagi Naga
ascetics—militant ascetics who are
devotees (bhakta) of the god Vishnu—
the largest division of forces is into anis
(“armies”), which are then subdivided
into akharas.