akhara

An akhara is a traditional Indian term for a training hall or center that serves different but related purposes in wrestling and ascetic life. In popular usage, an akhara is a place where wrestlers practice kushti or pehlwani under the guidance of a guru. Training typically includes wrestling drills, strength and conditioning, diet, and mental discipline, and many akharas operate under a guru–shishya (teacher–student) tradition.

Akhara also describes monastic lodges or orders of Hindu ascetics, particularly those associated with large religious gatherings. At events such as the Kumbh Mela, groups of sadhus organize into akharas to coordinate processions, rituals, and mutual aid. Historically, several major akharas have played a prominent role in these festivals, alongside many smaller ones that operate across northern and western India.

Structure and life within an akhara often blend martial training with spiritual or communal activities. Wrestlers may live on the premises, share meals, and participate in daily routines that include early-morning workouts, bathing, prayers, and study. Beyond athletic training, akharas contribute to regional culture and preserve traditional wrestling techniques, language, and customs.

In contemporary times, akharas continue to function as both wrestling schools and religious or social communities. Some have modernized with updated facilities and equipment while maintaining traditional practices, discipline, and mentorship that characterize the akhara system.

Etymology: the term derives from Sanskrit and is used in several Indian languages to denote a place of practice or a community dedicated to training and discipline.