Gorakhnath and the Kanphata Yogis c6.99

c6.99

There is an organization, called the *Bhek Bārah Panth* which has general supervision over the monasteries, and which is consulted when mahants are elected, and which deals with disputes arising from various causes, or where the deposition of a mahant is desired. The Bhek is composed of representatives from the twelve Panths of the Gorakhnāthīs, one from each. The elections are made at the Kumbh Mela, held at Hardwār once in every twelve years. At this time thousands of Yogīs from all of the *mathas* (monasteries) are assembled. Special elections may be made to supply vacancies when the Bhek is convened to settle questions, at local monasteries, or at great melas, such as those held at Ujjain and Allāhābād. The head of this organization is chosen in turn from each of the twelve panths. This is a desirable office, with tenure of twelve years, for which the incumbent pays a fee of twelve hundred rupees. He is considered as Jogeśwar and ranks as head of all the Gorakhnāthīs. The Bhek has a monastery at Hardwār. On two occasions, when the author visited it, there was no one in residence. It is reported that the committee was not re-elected at the last Kumbh Mela.¹