Gorakhnath and the Kanphata Yogis c7.73
Gorakhnāth and the Kānphaṭa Yogīs c7.73
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c7.73
The Dharmagharī Jugīs of Western Bengal are looked down upon by others. They ‘worship Dharma, Śītalā and other aboriginal deities.² They are beggars. They trace their origin to Siddhas. Some of their sub-caste names are Matsyendra, Gorḳṣa and Bṛbhāirab. The first two of these names are significant in pointing to relationships with Gorakhnāthīs. These Jugīs practise infant marriage, employ ing a caste member as priest; and allow neither the marriage of widows nor divorce. They worship Śiva for the most part, Viṣṇu to some extent. Some are Śāktas. They practise samādh-burial. Their social position is low. In 1881 the Jugīs in Bengal numbered more than 350,000.