Few yogis have shaped Indian spiritual life as Guru Gorakhnath did. He is honoured as the one who gave the Nath Sampradaya its form and is linked to the start of Hatha Yoga — and the highest peak of Girnar carries his name.
In this guide
The yogi and the legends
Gorakhnath, sometimes written Gorakshanath, is traditionally regarded as the pupil of the yogi Matsyendranath (Machindranath). Historians place him somewhere between the 8th and 12th centuries, and legend surrounds his life: stories send him wandering through Punjab, Sindh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bengal and Nepal, and many devotees take him to be Shiva made manifest. Because the facts are thin, his impact speaks loudest — monasteries, shrines and towns carry his name, with Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh the most famous.
The Navnath and the Nath order
The Nath Sampradaya is a Shaiva tradition whose yogis hand down teaching from guru to disciple and rate practice, discipline and first-hand experience above ceremony. Its great masters are known together as the Navnath, the “nine Naths.” Traditions disagree on the roster, though the names most often cited are Matsyendranath, Gorakhnath, Jalandharnath, Kanifnath, Charpatnath, Gahininath, Bhartrinath, Revannath and Naganath. With the 84 Siddhas, they are said to have walked the hills of Girnar.
Hatha Yoga and the main ideas
Hatha Yoga, the system that brings together asana (posture), pranayama (breath control), mudra (seals) and meditation in order to calm body and mind, is closely associated with Gorakhnath. Works such as the Goraksha Shataka and the Siddha Siddhanta Paddhati, credited to him or his school, left a mark on later writing about yoga. A few ideas recur throughout the tradition:
- Learning from a guru — wisdom passes through a living teacher.
- Moderation — a balanced routine of eating, sleeping and living supports practice.
- Mastery of breath and body — the way to a still mind.
- Knowing the Self — first-hand realisation rather than belief alone.
- An open door — the path has historically accepted seekers from varied backgrounds.
Nath yogis are commonly recognised by ash on the skin, rudraksha beads, the sacred dhuni fire and, in many orders, kanphata (split-ear) earrings; “Alakh” is a familiar greeting.
Where his name is found
- Gorakhnath Temple at Gorakhpur — the most famous Nath centre, in Uttar Pradesh.
- Girnar in Gujarat — the top of the range, some 1,117 metres high, is named after him and has a shrine tied to his sadhana. Pilgrims get there past the Amba Mata temple; the Girnar climb guide explains the route.
- Mathas and shrines across India and Nepal — numerous Nath centres claim descent from his lineage.
Shernath Bapu at Bhavnath Taleti
At Triloknath Ashram in Bhavnath Taleti, Shernath Bapu carries this lineage on, right beneath the mountain whose summit honours Gorakhnath. Pilgrims and devotees can stay quietly here, and the ashram’s simplicity echoes the discipline that the tradition values. More is on the about page and in Guru Gorakhnath and the Nath Sampradaya: Girnar’s Sacred Link.
To arrange a visit, look at the rooms or call +91 96274 27283.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Guru Gorakhnath?
A revered yogi, pupil of Matsyendranath, who is honoured for shaping the Nath Sampradaya and is a key name in the story of Hatha Yoga.
Who are the nine Naths?
Nine legendary Naths; the roster varies by tradition but is often given as Matsyendranath, Gorakhnath, Jalandharnath, Kanifnath, Charpatnath, Gahininath, Bhartrinath, Revannath and Naganath.
What ties Gorakhnath to Girnar?
Girnar’s highest peak, about 1,117 metres, is called the Gorakhnath peak and has a shrine tied to his sadhana.
What is Hatha Yoga?
Posture, breath control, mudras and meditation, a discipline associated with the Nath tradition and Guru Gorakhnath.
Where is the best-known Gorakhnath temple?
The Gorakhnath Temple in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, is the best-known Nath centre; Gujarat’s Girnar has the Gorakhnath peak.