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Religious Order

Nirmal Akhara

Sikh Orders and Jathas
Origin from 1862

The Nirmal Akhara, formally the Panchayati Akhara Nirmal, is the central monastic organization of the Nirmala sect, a tradition that blends Sikh scriptural study with Hindu ascetic practice, headquartered at Kankhal in Haridwar. The Nirmalas trace their origin to Guru Gobind Singh, who is said to have sent five Sikh scholars to Kashi in 1686 to study Sanskrit and Hindu scripture, and the akhara itself was formally established on 7 August 1862 in Patiala, with Mahitab Singh as its first Sri Mahant, following a 1796 dispute between Nirmala and Naga ascetics over bathing rights at the Kumbh Mela. It operates roughly thirty two branches with an estimated fifteen thousand affiliated sadhus.

Facts
Organisation
Ordination
Diksha Initiation 2
Classification
Kind of order
Hindu Monastic Orders 3
Apostolate
Contemplative or Monastic Prayer 2
Practice
Liturgical Language
Sanskrit 2
Status
Status Today
Living tradition, practised today 3
Origins
Origin Period
from 1862 1
Belief
Defining Doctrinal Position
Advaita Vedanta Non-Dualism 2
Connections

Belongs to Tradition

Hinduism, Religions

Member Of

Udasi, Denominations

Originated In

India, Countries
Source Uttar Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation: Akharas of the Kumbh (Uttar Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation)

Rooted In

Nirmala, Denominations
Source Uttar Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation: Akharas of the Kumbh (Uttar Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation)

Uses Liturgical Language

Sanskrit, Languages
Sources
1. Uttar Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation: Akharas of the Kumbh (Uttar Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation)
Uttar Pradesh State Tourism Development CorporationList of akharas
Quote, List of akharas
The Nirmal Panchaati Akhara was established in 1862 in Patiala, Punjab, by Maharaja Narinder Singh of Patiala, Raja Bharpur Singh of Nabha, and Raja Sarup Singh of Jind.
View the Source
2. Islamic Mysticism: A Short History
Alexander Knysh, Brill
3. Wikipedia: Nirmal Akhara
WikipediaIntroduction, kind of order
Quote, Introduction, kind of order
The Panchayati Akhara Nirmal or Nirmal Panchayati Akhara is an organization (akhara) based in Haridwar, India associated with the Nirmala sampardya.
View the Source
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