The Junagad Akhada

The Junagad Akhada, a photo by firoze shakir photographerno1 on Flickr.

In Hinduism, Akhara (also akhada, literally "wrestling arena") is an organization of the different sects of Sadhus Vairaghis yogis or Hindu Renunciates.[1] Its history dates back to the circa 2500 BC when Adi Shankaracharya [1] established seven Akharas (possibly 10 as they are also known as Dasnaami), Mahanirvani, Niranjani, Atal, Avahan, Agni and Anand Akhara. Some yogis link these akharas to Gorakhnath rather than to Shankaracharya. Today there are 3 major Akharas (Mahanirvani, Niranjani and 3 minor Akharas (Atal affiliated with Mahanirvani, Anand affiliated with Niranjan. Furthermore there is one small Brahmachari Akhara named Agni. There also numerous minor Akhara's usually set up by disciples as an affiliate to the major group or sometimes due to disagreements on succession or Gurudev of an Akhara.
Akharas are divided into different types according to the concept of God they worship. Shaiva Akharas for followers of Lord Shiva, Vaishnava or Vairagi Akhara for followers of Lord Vishnu and Kalpwasis for followers of Lord Brahma.
An Akhara is divided in 8 davas (divisions) and 52 marhis (centres). Each Marhi is governed by a Mahant. The top administrative body of the Akhara is Shree Panch (the body of five), representing Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Shakti and Ganesha. It is elected on every Kumbh Mela and the body holds its post for 4 years.
The biggest Akhara - based on the number of Sadhus then Niranjani and then Mahanirvani. The first person in the Akhara is the Acharya Mahamandaleshwar, followed by other Mahamandaleshwaras, Mandaleshwaras and Shree Mahants. (All can be considered Gurudevs in their own right).
Traditionally during the Kumbh Mela, the Naga Sadhus, and the 'Akharas', lead and initiate the bathing rituals, before the general population steps in.[2][

The martial Akhara

Unlike the stereotypical image of the passive, mystical sannyasi, the Dasnami Nagas were and to some extent still are known for their military exploits. Their akharas became centers for training in martial arts and weaponry. Ghurye goes so far as to translate akhara to mean “military regiment,” because the Dasnami Nagas were involved in various military campaigns at different times (1953: 116; cf. also Farquhar 1925; J. Ghose 1930; Lorenzen 1978).[4]
Basic purpose behind setting up of akharas was to form a band of religious warriors (Dharma Sainiks) who would protect and safeguard the Dharma from social evils.