About the Book:
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.

Contents:

1. Introduction | 2. Yogis and Their Culture | 3. The Genesis of Natha Great Tradition | 4. The Genesis of Yogi Little Tradition in Odisha | 5. The Instances of Conversion to Yogi Tradition | 6. Types of Yogis and Their Ways of Life | 7. Comparision Between Yogis of Odisha and Other States | 8. The Yogis and the Neighbouring Communities | 9. Conclusion | Glossary | Bibliography | Index | Plates