Alekhia
This article is an extract from
THE TRIBES and CASTES of BENGAL. Ethnographic Glossary. Printed at the Bengal Secretariat Press. 1891. . |
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Alekhia
A sect of Saiva ascetics having their head-quarters near Girnar and Poona, in Western India, whence they visit the chief places of pilgrimage. They collect alms for the purpose of feeding other ascetics, and proclaim their mission by repeating the word aZalih ( , awake' ?), from which their name is derived. Alekhias profess profound respect for their alms-bag Ulath), and are divided into three classes, the members of which dedicate the Jhuli to Ganesa, Bhairab, and Klili respectively. Ganesa-Alekhias beg in the morning, Bhairab¬Alekhias in the afternoon and evening, and K:Hi-Alekhias only at midnight. Members of the first class beg ITom house to house, and may even stay for some time in a house where they are hospitably recei ved: ascetics of the other two classes may not enter a door, and merely walk along the road shouting 'alakh' to attract the attention of the pious.
This appears to be the sect referred to by Wilson, s.v. AlaM¬nami, from Sanskrit alakshya, 'undefinable,' 'invisible.'
