Gorakhnath and the Kanphata Yogis c7.96

c7.96

The Jogī Puruṣa¹ is a recently formed caste that speaks Marāṭhi and Tulu. Their head monastery is at Kadiri but they have several other establishments. The individuals of the caste are disciples of the various maṭhas, and worship Bhāiroṁ and Gorakhnāth. There are both celibates and householders amongst them. The former wear rings of rhinoceros horn or of clay. The householders do not split the ears but put pieces of clay over the cartilage where it is usually split in initiation. They use the sacred thread to which is attached a whistle of brass, or of copper, or of silver. The whistle is used when the worshipper offers prayer to Bhāiroṁ. Brāhmans are employed for their marriages. The dead are buried in a sitting posture and a funeral feast is held on the twelfth day, a Brāhman priest officiating. Food is offered to crows and gifts are made to Brāhmans. The purificatory rites for the deceased initiate of Bhāirava (Bhāiroṁ) include worship (pūjā) at the grave each day from the third to the twelfth day. Some of these Jogīs are mendicants, others follow menial occupations, serving as coolies, peons and the like.