Akhara

The term Akhara refers to a place of practice in India, encompassing both martial arts and religious monastic aspects. It is a gender-egalitarian term that means a circle or spiritual core, and can be used to denote both a physical institution and a group of individuals sharing a common lineage or leadership. Akharas originated as training halls for professional fighters, dating back to ancient times, with legendary figures like Parashurama and Agastya credited as their founders. The term Akhara is also associated with the Dashanami Sampradaya sect, which was founded by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century, and has been involved in various historical battles and conflicts throughout Indian history.learn more on wikipedia