Yogi Little Traditions of Odisha-in the Context of Natha Great Tradition

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Studies on the Natha cult has not been a new one in the field of religion but a new attempt in anthropology. As a part of Hindu great tradition it has been discussed in the context of Shaiva tradition under Hinduism. Natha cult since its inception, has been highlighting some specific accounts of Yoga as practised in Shaiva tradition. Within the Hindu boundary though it flourished as a great tradition, among local followers it has to interact with the local Hindu traditions as well as specific cultural inputs of caste/agriculture based society. As a result of local impact, although the Natha great tradition at the all India level maintained its basic characteristic features, at the same time it also experienced certain changes through localization process.

On the basis of the interaction between Natha great traditions and its little traditions in Odisha, the present work has been anthropologically designed to describe as well as analyze such interactions.

Dr. Om Bangamayee Kabikanya is working as an Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology, Talcher Autonomous College, Odisha.

Prof. Jagannath Dash is the Former Professor of Anthropology, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar.

Studies on the Natha cult has not been a new one in the field of religion but a new attempt in anthropology. As a part of Hindu great tradition it has been discussed in the context of Shaiva tradition under Hinduism. Hinduism depicts about five different types of cults like Soura, Ganapatya, Vaishnava, Shaiva and Shakta, which have been in practice both independently and integratedly as religious traditions or cults under Hindu great tradition. Hinduism has numerous Gods and Goddesses and thus follows multifarious religious traditions which to any outsider seems to be a matter of religious diversity, but in reality or actuality they all refer to one integrated form of Hinduism, which speaks of unity in diversity. Natha cult since its inception, has been highlighting some specific accounts of Yoga as practised in Shaiva tradition. People feel attracted to it on the basis of the teachings of the great gurus of Natha cult, especially Gorekhnath. Within the Hindu boundary though it flourished as a great tradition, among local followers it has to interact with the local Hindu traditions as well as specific cultural inputs of caste/agriculture based society. As a result of local impact, although the Natha great tradition at the all India level maintained its basic characteristic features, at the same time it also experienced certain changes through localization process. On the basis of the interaction between Natha great traditions and its little traditions in Odisha, the present work has been anthropologically designed to describe as well as analyze such interactions through the following chapters of this book.

**Contents and Sample Pages**