Updated 3 November 2026
- “Navnath” means the nine Nath masters of the Nath Sampradaya
- Lists vary by tradition; the names below are the most commonly given
- Girnar is linked in lore with the Navnath and the 84 Siddhas
- Much of what is told about them is legend rather than record
Many pilgrims hear the phrase “nine Naths” long before they learn who they were. The Navnath are the teachers around whom the Nath tradition tells its story, and Girnar’s own legends are full of them.
Why “nine”?
The Nath Sampradaya, a Shaiva yogic tradition, remembers its great teachers as the Navnath, the “nine Naths.” The number is symbolic as much as historical, and traditions do not agree on exactly who is included. Some regional lists add or swap names. The roster below is the one most often repeated.
The nine, as commonly named
| Name | What is traditionally said |
|---|---|
| Matsyendranath (Machindranath) | First great teacher of the line and the guru of Gorakhnath; revered in India and Nepal |
| Gorakhnath | His disciple, honoured for giving the order its shape and tied to the origins of Hatha Yoga |
| Jalandharnath | A siddha remembered as the teacher of the Bengal king Gopichand |
| Kanifnath | Traditionally counted as a disciple of Jalandharnath |
| Charpatnath | A siddha of Nath lore; accounts of his life vary widely |
| Gahininath | A disciple of Gorakhnath, said in Maharashtra to be the teacher of Nivruttinath, the elder brother of Dnyaneshwar |
| Bhartrinath (Bhartrihari) | The king of Ujjain who became a yogi and a poet; see his story |
| Revannath | Named in the commonly repeated list; little can be said with confidence about his life |
| Naganath | Named in the same list; accounts of him vary by region |
Reading the lists carefully
Historians treat the Navnath as a mix of real teachers, composite figures and legends. Dates are uncertain and some names may refer to several people. That is why you will see other names, such as Chaurangi or Kanipa, in other lists. When a story is told about one of them, treat it as part of the tradition’s self-understanding, not as a biography.
The Navnath at Girnar
Girnar’s highest peak is called the Gorakhnath peak, and the mountain is associated in Nath lore with the Navnath and the 84 Siddhas. At midnight on Maha Shivratri, devotees believe, the Naths and Siddhas come down to Mrigi Kund to bathe, a belief explained in our note on the Bhavnath Mela.
Going further
Read the legend of Matsyendranath and Gorakhnath, and see how a living ashram keeps the lineage at Triloknath Ashram. To visit, call +91 96274 27283.
Frequently asked questions
Who are the Navnath?
The nine Nath masters of the Nath Sampradaya, commonly named as Matsyendranath, Gorakhnath, Jalandharnath, Kanifnath, Charpatnath, Gahininath, Bhartrinath, Revannath and Naganath.
Why do the lists differ?
Because the tradition has regional versions and the figures are partly legendary.
What is the link with Girnar?
Girnar’s top peak is named for Gorakhnath and the mountain is associated in lore with the Navnath and the 84 Siddhas.
More from the notebook
Planning a stay near Girnar?
Ring the office for rooms and dates at Bhavnath Taleti.
+91 96274 27283