The names
Bhagandar kya hota hai? Bhagandar is the Hindi and Ayurvedic name for an anal fistula: a small tunnel between the inside of the back passage and the skin near the anus, which often leaks pus or fluid.2 Ayurveda and modern medicine describe the same condition; they differ in how they explain and treat it.
Urgent signs: A painful, hot, swollen lump near the anus with fever or chills, bleeding that is heavy or won't stop, or feeling very unwell needs care the same day. It can be an abscess that needs draining. The full list is under "When it should not wait" on Anal fistula (bhagandar).
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit | Bhagandara (भगन्दर): a condition that tears through the area around the anus and perineum |
| Hindi | Bhagandar (भगंदर), nasoor |
| Punjabi | Bhagandar, nasoor (ਭਗੰਦਰ, ਨਾਸੂਰ) |
| English | Anal fistula, fistula-in-ano |
How Ayurveda describes it
In Ayurveda, bhagandara begins as a painful boil (piḍakā) near the anus which, if it bursts or is left untreated, opens into a tract that keeps discharging.1 Suśruta describes several types according to the dosha involved and counts it among the conditions that are hard to treat and need a skilled physician.1
Ayurvedic management, in general terms, aims to clear the tract and help it heal from within, alongside diet and bowel care. The method depends on the tract and the person, and is decided by the doctor after examination.
How modern medicine describes it
Most fistulas start as an anal abscess: an infected gland near the anus that bursts or is drained, leaving a tract behind.23 Symptoms include pain, swelling, discharge of pus or blood, and irritated skin.2 Less often a fistula is linked with Crohn's disease or another condition.3
Diagnosis is by examination, sometimes with an MRI or ultrasound to map the tract.3 Treatment is usually surgical, because a fistula rarely heals on its own.2 The type of operation depends on how much of the ring muscle the tract crosses, so that bowel control is protected.3
Where they agree, and where they differ
| Ayurveda (bhagandara) | Modern medicine (anal fistula) | |
|---|---|---|
| How it starts | A painful boil near the anus | An anal abscess |
| What it is | A tract that keeps discharging | A tunnel between the anal canal and the skin |
| Types | By dosha | By the tract's path through the ring muscle |
| Tests | Examination | Examination; MRI or ultrasound when needed |
| Care | Clear the tract and help it heal, decided after examination | Usually surgery, chosen to protect bowel control |
Both views agree that a fistula is not a skin problem to ignore, that it rarely settles by itself, and that a careful examination comes first.
What the evidence does and doesn't show
- Shown: most fistulas need a procedure; creams or antibiotics alone rarely close a tract.23
- Shown: the path of the tract decides which treatment is safe, which is why mapping it matters.3
- Limited: clinical trials of Ayurvedic treatments have mostly been few, small or not well designed, so firm conclusions about bhagandara cannot be drawn. 4
- Not a substitute: fever, severe throbbing pain or spreading swelling can mean an abscess and needs prompt care.
What this means for you
A fistula needs an examination; it can't be confirmed from symptoms or a description alone. If you have a recurring boil, discharge or a small opening near the anus, note when the first boil appeared, whether it burst or was drained, how often it returns and what leaks, and bring any earlier reports.
Read next
- Anal fistula (bhagandar): symptoms, urgent signs and treatment
- Piles (bawasir): piles and a fistula are easy to confuse, and this page sets out the difference
- all piles and back-passage concerns
A consultation with Dr. D.K. Sharma (BAMS) is ₹500, in person in Ludhiana or by video; a fistula will need examining in person. The questions are about the boil, the discharge, your bowels and your health, so that you and Dr. Sharma can decide what to look into first. A personalised Dinacharya (daily-routine) guide follows.
Sources
- Suśruta Saṃhitā, Nidānasthāna, chapter on bhagandara (classical source).
- NHS. Anal fistula. nhs.uk.
- American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Anorectal Abscess, Fistula-in-Ano, and Rectovaginal Fistula. 2022.
- NCCIH (US National Institutes of Health). Ayurvedic Medicine: In Depth. Last updated January 2019. nccih.nih.gov.
Medical content approved by Dr. D.K. Sharma.
Reviewed by Dr. D.K. Sharma. Approval recorded on 8 November 2026 for this exact text.
