NATH TEMPLES

The Prior said that he was a hermit and had no desires.  Upon this the Rajah had a special bowl and the first begging with that bowl done officially. The grains thus collected were sent to the "Mahant" with the 'Patar' (bowl). A general order was also issued that every house in the Sirmur territory should give the prior a bowl full of grain at each harvesting.

This bowl is of copper, round and hollow like a local measure of grains called 'Patha'. It is still sent by the prior round the villages to collect grains and, in the days of princely rule, used to be regarded as the royal warrant for the tax. As difficulty was felt in the speedy collection of the grains by means of a single bowl, the prior has had three more similar bowls made and can now send out four men at a time.

Tawarnath's successors are "Sanyasis" (ascetics) though the "Jogis" (a particular sect, not necessarily practicing "Yoga") who are also called "Naths," claim that the institution originally belonged to them. The Ranas of the erstwhile States of Theog and Balsan (included in Mahasu district) held the institution in great reverence and used to send their occasional offerings.

[ Back ] [ Up ] [ Next ]