GJSAnnie74: Made New Stub.

2026-04-24T08:52:56Z

Made New Stub.

New page

{{Short description|Religious organization (1862)}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = Shri Panchayati Nirmal Akhara
| formation = 7 August 1862
| logo = Logo of the Panchayati Akhara Nirmal.png
| former_name = Dharam Dhuja Akhara Guru Gobind Singh Ji
| founder = Mahitab Singh
| founding_location = Chanarthalian di Haveli, Patiala, Patiala State, Cis-Sutlej States, Punjab, British India
| status = [[Akhara]]
| headquarters = Sati Ghat Road, Mohalla Maiyapur (Mohalla Miaria), Kankhal, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, 249408, India
| leader_title = Sri Mahant
| leader_name = Swami Gyanadev Singh Maharaj
| parent_organization = [[Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad]]
| website = nirmalakhara.org
}}

The '''Panchayati Akhara Nirmal''' or '''Nirmal Panchayati Akhara''' is an organization (''[[akhara]]'') based in [[Haridwar]], [[India]] associated with the [[Nirmala (sect)|Nirmala]] ''[[Sampradaya|sampardya]]''. It is the central organization of the Nirmalas and was founded in 1862 in Patiala. Before its establishment, there was no central authority of the Nirmalas.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Giani Balwant |title=NIRMAL PAÑCHĀITĪ AKHĀṚĀ |url=https://eos.learnpunjabi.org/NIRMAL%20PANCHAITI%20AKHARA.html |access-date=9 April 2026 |website=Encyclopedia of Sikhism (Online Edition) |publisher=Punjabi University, Patiala}}</ref> It is one of the thirteen akharas that participate in the [[Kumbh Mela]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Bhalla |first=Manisha |date=2025 |title=Nirmal Akhada of Sikhs- Nagas cannot enter:Neither 'Pind Daan', nor initiation of 'Sannyasi', Sakshi Maharaj is also a saint from this Akhada |url=https://www.bhaskarenglish.in/mahakumbh/news/nirmal-akhada-of-sikhs-nagas-cannot-enter-explained-neither-pind-daan-nor-initiation-of-sannyasi-sakshi-maharaj-is-also-a-saint-from-this-akhada-134388555.html |access-date=9 April 2026 |work=Bhaskar English}}</ref> It is part of the [[Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad]], alongside other akharas that belong to the [[Shaivism|Shaivite]], [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnavite]], and [[Udasi]] traditions.

== History ==
[[File:Painting of a Nirmala Sikh, circa 19th century.png|thumb|Painting of a Nirmala Sikh, circa 19th century]]
It had been a tradition for various ascetic, religious, [[Indian religions|Indic sects]] of ''[[sadhu]]s'', such as the [[Daśanāmi Sampradaya|Dasnamis]], [[Sannyasa|Sannyasis]], [[Bairagi Brahmin (caste)|Bairagis]], [[Ramanandi Sampradaya|Ramanandis]], Nagas, and [[Udasi]]s, to found ''akharas'' and ''[[Dera (organisation)|deras]]''. The Nirmala ''[[Sant (religion)|sants]]'' also had their own centres located around India. The Udasis had founded a ''panchaiti akhara'' in 1779 at [[Prayagraj|Prayag (Allahabad)]], with branches based out of [[Varanasi|Kashi (Varanasi)]] and [[Kankhal]]. The general Nirmala sect claims to have been founded by [[Guru Nanak]] in 1564, who they claim bestowed upon Bhai Bhagirath the ''[[Mul Mantar]]'' and ''Nirmal Vakh''. Furthermore, the Nirmalas believe that [[Guru Gobind Singh]] in 1686 dispatched five Sikh men, namely Bir Singh, Gainda Singh, Karam Singh, Ram Singh, and Saina Singh, known as the ''Panch Nirmal Gaurik'',<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last1=Kumar |first1=K Sandeep |last2=Malaviya |first2=Smriti |date=13 January 2019 |title=The Famous Akhadas at Kumbh Mela |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/the-famous-akhadas-at-kumbh-mela/story-x5TCnQW9n51cwXkkR4lfJJ.html |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> to Kashi (Varanasi) to study Sanskrit and [[Hindu texts|Hindu scriptures]].<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> The Brahmins rejected the five men due to them not being Brahmins (making them ineligible to study the Vedas), therefore Guru Gobind Singh made them dress in saffron and proclaimed them to be ''sadhus'', showing that one did not have to belong to a particular caste to study the Vedas or use Sanskrit. The five men studied the ''[[Vedas]]'', ''[[Vedanga]]s'', ''[[Puranas]]'', ''[[Dharmaśāstra|Dharma-shastras]]'', and ''[[Indian epic poetry|Itihases]]'' at Kashi for thirteen years, returning to Anandpur Sahib, where they were bestowed with the title ''Nirmal''. Historically this specific Nirmala organization was founded at Patiala in 1862.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":6" />

In the late 18th century, the Nirmalas and 11,000–12,000 Sikh horseman of [[Sahib Singh of Patiala|Raja Sahib Singh of Patiala]] participated in the Kumbh at Haridwar but they had a clash with the Nagas, who protested their presence and their occupation of the ''[[ghat]]s''. The decision to establish an official Nirmala akhara was part of the agreement between the disputing parties.<ref name=":2" /> The idea of the Nirmalas having their own panchaiti akhara was first considered in 1807. At the 1855 [[Kumbh Mela|Kumbh]], the Nirmalas elected Mahitab Singh (also spelt Mehtab Singh) as their head or principal priest (''Sri Mahant''). Mahitab Singh had been patronized by the [[cis-Sutlej states]], namely [[Patiala State|Patiala]], [[Jind State|Jind]], and [[Nabha State|Nabha]], with the rulers of those three states founding the ''Chanarthalian di Haveli'' based in Patiala as a centre for the Nirmalas to be based out of, providing financial and land grants for its functioning. The inauguration of the organization, initially known as the ''Dharam Dhuja Akhara Guru Gobind Singh Ji,'' occurred on 7 August 1862 and its constitution, the ''Dastur ul-'Amal'', was compiled.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":22">{{Cite book |last=Gandhi|first=Surjit Singh|title=History of Sikh Gurus Retold|publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Distributors|year=2007|isbn=9788126908585|volume=II: 1606-1708 C.E.|pages=977|chapter=Sikh Religious Orders - Nirmal Panth}}</ref> A [[Nishan Sahib|yellow flag]] bearing a ''[[Khanda (Sikh symbol)|khanda]]'' ensign was adopted as the ''Dharma Dhvaja''.<ref name=":22" /> Four nomadic akharas were established for each of the four directions, each headed by a mahant.<ref name=":22" /> Some sources instead name Durga Singh Maharaj as the founder of the organization.<ref name=":6" /> The constitution ruled that offerings and donations could not be used for the personal benefit of mahants but rather had to be given to the organization as a whole and that new members had to swear upon the [[Guru Granth Sahib]]. Furthermore, it required that all assistance given to the poor be noted and that accounts by the organization would be annually checked by the Sri Mahant on an annual basis. All members had to remain a celibrate and wear [[ochre]]-coloured clothing. Finally, the trio of the cis-Sutej states could intervene in the affairs of the akhara by removing any priest that they believed was acting against its constitution.<ref name=":1" />
[[File:Maharajah Karam Singh of Patiala and his son Narinder Singh with a holy man.jpg|thumb|Maharajah Karam Singh of Patiala and his son Narinder Singh with a Nirmala holy man, Northern India or Pakistan, 19th century, Opaque watercolours on paper, 36 × 42 cm, Kapany Collection.]]
Mahitab Singh after his death was succeeded as head of the organization in 1871 by Pandit Ram Singh Kuberia. The akhara grew in influence during the tenure of Ram Singh, acquiring additional properties in Kankhal to serve as the base for the Nirmalas. The akhara which was originally based in Patiala and Kankhal can be found operating in [[Haridwar]], [[Prayagraj|Prayag (Allahabad)]], [[Ujjain]], [[Trimbak|Triyambak]] ([[Nashik]]), [[Kurukshetra]], [[Patna]], and other locations.<ref name=":1" /> While Giani Balwant Singh maintains that Pandit Ram Singh Kuberia was in office as the head mahant of the akhara from 1871 until his death in 1896, Rattan Singh Jaggi instead states that Ram Singh had given the seat of the sri mahant to Tara Singh Narotam in 1875.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Jaggi |first=Rattan Singh |title=TĀRĀ SIṄGH NAROTAM, PAṆḌIT (1822-1891) |url=https://eos.learnpunjabi.org/TARA%20SINGH%20NAROTAM%20PANDIT%20(1822-1891).html |access-date=9 April 2026 |website=Encyclopedia of Sikhism (Online Edition) |publisher=Punjabi University, Patiala}}</ref>

The organization participated in the [[2025 Prayag Maha Kumbh Mela|2025 Maha Kumbh]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 January 2025 |title=Shri Panchayati Akhada Nirmal enters Maha Kumbh |url=https://www.uniindia.com/shri-panchayati-akhada-nirmal-enters-maha-kumbh/north/news/3365587.html |access-date=9 April 2026 |work=United News of India}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |date=4 January 2025 |title=Maha Kumbh Mela 2025: An Akhara That Differs From Others With Its Unique Tradition |url=https://www.etvbharat.com/en/!lifestyle/mahakumbh-2025-religious-flag-installing-tradition-akhara-how-nirmal-akhara-different-among-others-enn25010401874 |access-date=9 April 2026 |work=ETV Bharat}}</ref> They entered the camp on 11 January 2025 and the Dharmadhwaja flag was installed the following day on 12 January 2025.<ref name=":3" /> They were the last akhara of the akharas of the Kumbh to participate in the bathing ceremony.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mohta |first=Nikita |date=31 January 2025 |title=Where rituals and reverence converge: The sadhu akharas of Kumbh Mela |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/research/where-rituals-and-reverence-converge-the-sadhu-akharas-of-kumbh-mela-9809170/ |access-date=9 April 2026 |work=Indian Express}}</ref>

== Beliefs and practices ==
[[File:Photograph of a Nirmala Sikh man walking the streets of Bathinda, Bathinda district, Punjab, India, April 2023.jpg|thumb|Photograph of a Nirmala Sikh man walking the streets of Bathinda, Bathinda district, Punjab, India, April 2023]]
The organization mixes [[Vedanta|Vedic thought]] with Sikh ''[[gurbani]]'', effectively mixing [[Hinduism]] and [[Sikhism]] together.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |date=5 February 2025 |title=Nirmal Akhada: A spiritual confluence of vedas, vedangas and Guru Granth Sahib |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/others/nirmal-akhada-a-spiritual-confluence-of-vedas-vedangas-and-guru-granth-sahib-101738515153429.html |access-date=9 April 2026 |work=Hindustan Times}}</ref> They maintain a belief in the [[Sikh gurus|ten Sikh gurus]] and the [[Guru Granth Sahib]]. Recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib begins on [[Brahmamuhurta|Brahma Muhurta]]. The sadhus of the akhara remained clothed (as opposed to being a naga-sadhu) and refrain from intoxication, spreading of ash on the body, or sacred fires. Initiates are to maintain the 5Ks of Sikhism and the Guru Granth Sahib is enthroned at their centres and a ''[[granthi]]'' caretakes its recitation, being akin to a mainstream Sikh ''[[gurdwara]]'' in this regard.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":4" /> The Nirmal akhara differs from the Shaivite and Vaishnavite akharas as its members are to maintain uncut hair (''[[Kesh (Sikhism)|kesh]]'') and wear a ''[[dastar]]'' (turban), meanwhile those other akharas have their initiates and members [[Head shaving in Hinduism|shave their head]]. Furthermore, its ''[[Nishan Sahib]]'' (flag) is placed outside the akhara rather than at its internal centre. All [[Caste system in India|castes]] are welcome to the akhara.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Talwar |first=Vishal |date=2025 |title=Equality, simplicity, And Service Are The Core principles Of Nirmal Akhara |url=https://english.bharatexpress.com/india/equality-simplicity-and-service-are-the-core-principles-of-nirmal-akhara-188545/amp |access-date=9 April 2026 |work=Bharat Express}}</ref> At the beginning of a Kumbh, a ''Dharmadhwaja'' flag is installed at the akhara before sadhus and sants enter the encampment, who sit under it to perform rituals. A temple dedicated to a ''[[Ishtadevata|Ishtadev]]'' is also installed under the flag.<ref name=":3" /> Aside from the Guru Granth Sahib, they also venerate the Vedas, [[Bhagavad Gita]], and [[Upanishads]].<ref name=":12">{{Cite news |last=Mohta |first=Nikita |date=31 January 2025 |title=Where rituals and reverence converge: The sadhu akharas of Kumbh Mela |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/research/where-rituals-and-reverence-converge-the-sadhu-akharas-of-kumbh-mela-9809170/ |access-date=9 April 2026 |work=Indian Express}}</ref>

== Structure ==
The akhara consists of five ''Mahamandaleshwars'' and also consists of a governing body comosed of 25–26 religious figures. Some of the positions in the functioning of the akhara are the president, secretary, treasurer (''Kothari''), and Mukami Mahants. The smallest unit of the akhara is that of a ''Vidyarathi'' (spiritual student). The akhara has thirty-two branches across India, while other sources give a range of 30–35 branches across India.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":2" /> Around 15,000 sadhus across India are affiliated with the organization.<ref name=":12" />

Major positions, such as the ''[[Mahant]]'', ''[[Kothari (temple)|Kothari]]'', and ''[[Sant (religion)|Sant]]'', within the organizations are given to ascetics on criteria based upon the concepts of ''[[Shastra|Shastri]]'' and ''[[Jñāna|Gyani]]'', with knowledge on topics related to [[Sanskrit]], Shakhi, the Guru Granth Sahib, and the [[Dasam Granth]] being required.<ref name=":2" /> In 2019, the head of the group was Mahant Gurudev Singhji Vendantacharya.<ref name=":6" />

=== Current positions ===
The current key members and their positions are as follows:<ref name=":2" />

* Sri Mahant: Swami Gyanadev Singh Maharaj
* Mahamandaleshwar of the Shri Panchayati Nirmal Akhara: [[Sakshi Maharaj]]
* Secretary Mahant: Devendra Singh Shastri
* Kothari Mahant: Jaswinder Singh Shastri
* Chief Mahant: Laxman Singh
* Mahant: Gyan Singh

== List of heads ==
{{Expand section|date=April 2026}}
The leaders of the group, known as a ''[[Mahant|Sri Mahant]]'', are as follows:<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" />

* Mahitab Singh (1862–1871)
* Pandit Ram Singh Kuberia (1871–1875)
* Pandit Tara Singh Narotam (1875–1891)

== Controversy ==
The group was accused in 2017–2018 of selling land it received as donations to builders.<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 October 2017 |title=Seers' body nudges Nirmal Akhara factions for talks |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/dehradun/seers-body-nudges-nirmal-akhara-factions-for-talks/story-xozkpKPeFBxa9b6PZYjcrJ.html |access-date=9 April 2026 |work=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=28 February 2018 |title=Akhara builds illegal flats, 88 units sealed |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/akhara-builds-illegal-flats-88-units-sealed/articleshow/63100136.cms |access-date=9 April 2026 |work=Times of India}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=Nawaz |first=M. S. |date=16 December 2018 |title=Saints at loggerheads over Kothari Mahant post in Nirmal Akhara |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/saints-at-loggerheads-over-kothari-mahant-post-in-nirmal-akhara/articleshow/67119224.cms |access-date=9 April 2026 |work=Times of India}}</ref> Mahant Gyan Dev Singh expelled Mahant Gopal Singh from his Kothari Mahant position due to the allegations against him over misuse of the akhara's properties.<ref name=":5" />

== References ==
<references />

== External links ==

* [https://nirmalakhara.org/ Official website]
* [https://nirmalashram.com nirmalashram.com]

{{Sikhism}}
{{Hindudharma}}

[[Category:Sikh organisations]]
[[Category:Hindu organisations based in India]]

Panchayati Akhara Nirmal - Revision history

GJSAnnie74: Made New Stub.