According to some texts, an akhara is governed by the sacred body of five "Sri Pancha" and organized into 52 Matha (Sanskrit: मठ) or "Marhi" (Hindi: मढ़ी). Many assume 52 "Marhi" to refer to 52 lineages but they refer to 52 Desas (countries). These 52 Marhis are divided into 8 "Davas" corresponding to 8 directions. The maths are permanent centres of monastic practice with physical structures, led by a "mahant" or spiritual leader. Though not all akharas follow this structure, mainly due to the insufficient size. For example, smaller akhara, some as small as having only one marhi, may be set up either as a subsidiary affiliate to a larger and more established older akhara group or occasionally an independent akhara due to the disagreements over succession. Akharas can march as subsidiary akhara under the current preferential order of sequence in the "Shahi Snan" during "Kumbh Mela" or they are given the last place if their claim for the independent akhara is approved by the authorities.