Gorakhnath and the Kanphata Yogis c5.178

c5.178

The special dress which some Yogīs wear when they go out to beg is very elaborate. The whole process of dressing, as the author saw it, was as follows: First, the Yogī rubbed ashes on his body and face. Then, after putting on a *dhoti*, or loin-cloth, and a jacket, he proceeded to adjust his *hāl matangā*.¹ He then fastened *karngas*, arm bands, short rosaries and ‘handkerchiefs’ to his wrists and arms, slung threads over his shoulders, and put many rosaries around his neck. Then swinging his wallet (food bag) over his left shoulder he took up his fire tongs and his begging bowl and started on the round of houses from which he was accustomed to beg.²