Jogi Kanphata (Hindu traditions) in India

Introduction / History

Jogi is a colloquial term for the "yogi", which refers to the people who practiced yoga as part of their daily rituals. Over time, this led to the formation of a community, and subsequently was formed into a caste. The Kanphatia are one of the Jogi orders. They get their name from Kan meaning ear and phatia meaning slit. They have their ears slit in a religious ritual. They speak Marathi and read and write in Devanagari.

What Are Their Lives Like?

They work mostly in agriculture, but some earn their living by accepting alms while others work in small businesses. Family leaders arrange their marriages. The bereaved and divorced can marry again. Unlike most Hindus, they bury their dead. On the death of the father, sons inherit the property with the oldest son taking charge of the home. Their elders tend to social activities. They have a low level of education so the gospel will need to be presented in oral forms.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Kanphatia are one of the Jogi orders. The yoga system of philosophy taught the means whereby the human soul might attain complete union with the Supreme Being. The modern Jogi, speaking generally, claims to have attained that union and to be, therefore, a part of the Supreme. As followers of the yoga, they traditionally wear saffron-colored clothing. The Jogi are made up of purely religious mendicants (i. e., beggars) of the various Jogi orders, various people who live by fortune telling, practicing exorcisms and divination, and others. Specifically, members of the Kanphatia order follow Gorakhnath, who probably lived in the 1300s or earlier. He was the founder of their order, but they regard him as one of the deities. They believe he was born by the power of Shiva, which explains their devotion to this god. This master yogi, Gorakhnath, stressed the importance of mastering the body as a means towards spiritual discipline. Their beliefs include aspects of mysticism and magic. This order incorporates elements of Buddhism along with their devotion to Shiva.

What Are Their Needs?

They need to accept the blessings of Jesus Christ, the one who came to give, "life to the full."

Prayer Points

Pray that Kanphatia elders come to Jesus Christ and pave the way for a disciple making movement this decade. Pray for intercessors and workers. Pray for a spiritual hunger that will lead them to the only Savior.

Text Source:   Keith Carey