9S RELIGIOUS SECTS 



itself tliither from Mathiird, when Aurengzeh ordered the temple it was 

 there placed in to be destroyed — The present shrine is modern, but 

 richly endowed, and the high priest, a descendant of Gokul Nat'h, a 

 man of great wealth and importance.* It is a matter of obligation with 

 the members of this sect to visit Sri Ndfh Dwdr, at least once in their 

 lives; they receive there a certificate to that effect, issued by the 

 head Gosain, and, in return, contribute according to their means to the 

 enriching of the establishment : it is not an uncurious feature in the 

 notions of this sect, that the veneration paid to their Gosains is paid solely to 

 their descent, and unconnected with any idea of their sanctity or learning j 

 they are not unfrequently destitute of all pretensions to individual respecta- 

 bility, but they not the less enjoy the homage of their followers; the present 

 chief, at Srindth Dwdr, is said not to understand the certificate he signs. 



MIRA BAIS. 



These may be considered as forming a subdivision of the preceding, 

 rather than a distinct sect, although, in the adoption of a new leader, and the 

 worship of Krishna under a peculiar form, they differ essentially from the 

 followers of Vallabha : at the same time, it is chiefly amongst those secta- 

 rians, that MirX Bai and her deity, Ranach'hor, are held in high veneration, 

 ands except in the west of India, it does not appear that she has many imme- 

 diate and exclusive adherents. 



Mf RA. Bai is the heroine of a prolix legend in the Bhahta Maid, which is a 



* Every temple is said to have three places of offering ; the image, the pillow of the founder, 

 and a box for Sri Ndi'h Divdr, 



