He found the ‘Gaibinath’ temple, on the summit surrounded by the buildings of resident Dasnami Sannyasis, in good repair, which looked well from a distance due to their noble situation, but upon near approach as “the most mis-shapen rude inconvenient mass that I have ever seen.” He learnt about an interesting story regarding the foundation of the temple by one Harinath, “a very holy person, who had forsaken the pleasures of the world (Sanyasi)”, who had made the rock his abode and religiously made pilgrimages to Baidyanath, despite facing vast troubles. Ultimately, his deep devotion earned divine blessings as God “informed him in a dream that he would have no farther occasion to come so far, as on his return to the island he would find an image, to which he might address the prayers”, which accordingly happened, and Harinath became the Mahanta or head of a convent of Sanyasis, who took up their abode at the temple of the image called ‘Gaibinath.’ During Buchanan’s visit, Digambar, the then Mahanta, though born as a Brahmin in Kharakpur (Gorakhpur in the Journal), but having adopted sanyasa, stated himself as being 13th in succession to the founder. He acknowledged no superior nor guru and, and had about 20 chelas, with the community having 5 or 6 servants.

To be continued....