Photo feature: Dens of belief

Strap: The Tribune correspondent Charanjit Singh Teja and lensman Sunil Kumar take you to the insides of city’s akharas, camps that have been canopied by a saintly air for over multiple decades

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 31

Akhara, a spiritual circle of saints, generally belongs to the Udasi and Nirmala sects of Sikhism were centres of education and religious activities till end of 19th Century. The word ‘akhara’ is popularly associated with wrestling but in the terms of religion it dons a completely different meaning. The city has 12 Udasi akharas but only a few are now functional. Some of it shifted to Haridwar, Rishikesh after the formation of modern organisations to manage the gurdwara affairs, while some are now sands. Earlier, Udasi and Nirmala saints associated with these Akharas used to manage the Sikh shrines till 1920, foundation year of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). The akhara chief gives his seat to unmarried saints only. In modern days, several saints not find any inheritor to run it. So, after the death of Mahants people caught hold these properties.

History of Sikh akharas: Sikh Historian Kahan Singh Nabha mentioned in his ‘Mahan Kosh’ that in the mid of 18th Century eminent Udasi saint Mahant Nirvan Pritam Das noticed that saints face inconvenience during their visits at Sikh shrines and Gurpurabs. To provide boarding and lodging facility in 1779, Pritam Das established Panchayti akhara. He also constructed some akharas at Kashi Kankhal (Haridwar) and Hindu pilgrimage sites. Later, Mahants of Nirmala sect also established their akharas for educational and spiritual purposes in the city and other holy cities. However, the most of the Mahants believe that these were established by Sri Chand, the elder son of Guru Nanak.

Akhara Brahm Buta: The oldest akhara in the city is Akhara Brahm Buta. It’s located on the northern corner of the Golden Temple. The historians believe that Baba Shri Chand stayed here when he visited the city during regime of fourth Sikh master Guru Ramdas. Nirban Santokh Das was one of the prominent Mahant of Akhara during the Misl period that fought against Ahmad Shah Durrani in 1762. The same Mahant had constructed Hansli (water channel) to feed sarovar of Darbar Sahib in 1783. According to the history written inside the akhara, Maharaja Ranjit Singh was born with the blessing of Mahant Santokh Das. Later, the maharaja allotted a large property to them.

Sanglan Wala Akhara: The akahra was established by Mahant Pritam Das in 1788 in Bazaar Mai Sevan. Two heavy iron chains were installed on the main gate of the akhara, so devotees named it Sanglan Wala Akhara. It owns good property near the Golden Temple, including the temple of Laungan Wali Devi near Town Hall. Mahant Pritam Das was a well-known Udasi saint, who also constructed a temple inside it. Astonishingly, the old fane is still intact.

Chitta Akhara: This establishment is also located in Bazaar Mai Sevan. It was established by Mahant Ganga Ram Viakarani, an expert of Sanskrit and Gurmukhi grammar. Chiefs of Sikh misls gave him grant to run langar near the Golden Temple. The building of the Akhara is major tourist attraction. Several classic frescos are painted on its walls. Damodar Das is current Mahant of the akhara.

Akhara Tehal Das: it is located on Katra Jallian, on the road heading towards Jallianwala Bagh. Once a prominent akhara, it is now abandoned. The incumbent Mahant resides at a Malwa village. Samadhi (tomb) of Mahant Tehal Das is located at the plaza outside the Golden Temple.

Akhara Bala Nand: Bala Nand was successor of Tehal Das. He established a separate akhara in 1775. A great scholar of Sanskrit and Jalle Wale Sardar Albel Singh provided the funds to run it. In 1888, akhara head Bishambar Das constructed a three-storey colossal gate, which is mind-boggling enough for the tourists. It also has beautiful frescos on its walls and rooms. The Sikh history is depicted through the paintings by Udasi saints. The akhara had a tradition of teaching Sanskrit, which was alive till 1984. “Later, the universities introduced Sanskrit courses and students don’t visit the akhara anymore,” said a custodian.

Akhara Kashi Wala: It was located near Sultanwind Gate and established by Mahant Narain Das in 1795. The akhara provides lodging facilities for devotees in the holy city.

Akhara Beri Wala: The akhara has only two tombs behind Guru Ramdas langar hall.

Akhara Bibbeksar: It was established by Mahant Balak Nath on the backside of gurdwara Bibbeksar Sahib in Katra Ramgarhia, now known as Kulfi Mohalla. Mahraja Ranjit Singh gave grant for erecting the akhara’s gate in 1825. The huge doorway still exists, but in a rueful state. The Mahants have another akhara in Haridwar.

Akhara Sahtte Wala: The original name of the akhara was Parag Das, given after one of the Mahants. Due to balcony over the old building gate it came to be known as Akhara Shatte Wala. It is located near Chowk Parag Das.

Akhara Kashi Wala of Gheo Mandi: The akhara was founded by Mahant Sharan Das during the Sikh rule. Maharaja Ranjit Singh gifted the land at Tung village. It is still centre of Udasi sect’s activities.

Dhuna: Most of the akharas have a hearth, where saints of Udasi Sect do sadhna and yagg.

Gerua flag: Gerua (a red ochre) colour flag topped with peacock’s wings can be seen waving at every Udasi dera and akhara.

Frescos and buildings: There was a tradition with Udasi saints to depict the Sikh history and mythology with the wall paintings murals and frescos inside their deras. The deras in city are enriched with the wall painting, though the inner circles of akharas are not open for all due to their spiritual beliefs.