Gorakh Hill - Origin of Name

Origin of Name

Some local folklore says that a Hindu Saint of medieval periods; Sri Gorakhnath ji extensively wandered in these hills and region, he had great yogic powers, and people followed him, while other lores define him as a Buddhist Yogi, having a following in all the local, Muslim and non-Muslim tribes. These lores are the reason why many places are named after him.

Nandu, an authority on Sanskrit, says about the meanings of the Word Gorakh that it is the etymology of the Sanskrit Word, Gorakh which means Shepherding (Gorakh/sha)of sheep, cow and goat etc. This relates to herding in particularly difficult terrain and intricate pastures which makes practical sense, because, local tribesmen do take their flocks to Gorakh Hill for summer grazing. In Specific Context of the Gorakh, as being a derivate of the Persian word Gurg, or Gurkh of Baluchi, in that these have nothing to do with the Sanskritik meanings.

Further discussion:-There are confusions about the name and historical background of Gorakh. It needs discussion in the light of different traditions and opinions. Locally it is stated that Gorakh is derived from Balochi word "Gurkh" but the Balochi word "Gurkh" is perversion of Persian word "Gurg" which means wolf.

Regarding this, it is said that Gorakh hill and its surroundings were abode of wolves. So, first it was called Gurkh and afterwards its pronunciation was changed as Gorakh. This supports the Shepherd Terminology origins. When we consider this opinion, we can understand that, in the past wolves were not only in the area of Gorakh hill but those were also in the whole Kheerthar range and its neighboring deserted area of Kachho and a danger to Sheep and cows.

Therefore, Sanskritik Gorakh/sha is not considerable and justified, as an opinion about the name of Gorakh hill. Taj Sahrae, a renowned researcher and historian writes in his book "Lake Manchhar" that "Gorakh peak derives its name from one of the twenty four Tirathkarans of Jainism, Sri or Guru Gorakh Nath.

According to Taj Sehrai's understanding of Hindu mythology Gorakhnath is popularly believed "Being an incarnation of Shiva and that historically he was a yogi, who founded shiviate cult in 11th century A.D". Taj further writes, that "before partition Hindu yogis generally used to visit this peak on their way to yet another place of worship called tirath kumb.

There 'was' a small temple on top of a hill standing over Kumb (spring). Hindus generally visited the temple and Kumb, and performed their religious rituals". (Page no: 149-50). Taj Sahrae has stated without any reference or quotation of any certified book. Anyway, there are no remains or signs of any temple except the destroyed tomb of Miandad Fakir. Neither there was a temple nor history tells about the visit of yogis in this area. Kumb, is certainly named after Kumb Yatra, in Banaras.

On other hand, Tirath Kumb is too far away from Gorakh hill on the bank of river Gaj... instead of the Confluence at Banaras. It is thus possible, that before partition, local Hindus might have visited and performed rituals just like Kunb Mela yatra at Benaras on a small scale, but there is no historical evidence of such Yatra being performed at Gaj.

Since most of our historians have followed the opinion of Taj Sahrae who, linked the name of Gorakh, with Sri or Guru, Gorakh, by adding 'Nath' to it, as to give it Credibility in a Yogi's name. Therefore, we should think over, the origin and the actual meanings of a... Sindhi language word, "Gorakh".

In Jam-e-Sindhi lughaat, volume five by Dr: NA Baloch, published by Sindhi Adabi Board Jamshoro, the given meanings of the word Gorakh, are: a difficult, a labyrinth, a tangled, unsolvable problem, highest, biggest etc. (page no: 2356). Apparently, Dr. N.A. Baluch has relied on the Sanskritik roots, in his Definition of Gorakh/sha. In, Go/w=Cow and Raksha=Service, hence, Gorakh's logical meaning.

And the English Sindhi dictionary, by Permanand Mevaram, published by Institute of Sindhology, Jamshoro has used English words: "intricate and difficult" for the meaning of the word Gorakh. (Page no: 473). Obviously, Premanand, relied on the Sanskritik Meanings... and instead of Gorakh... "Sha" added "Nath,' meaning Master, in accommodating the Hindu belief... in the naming of Gorakh Hill, after Kirshen, the cow-herd.

In light of the above, meaning, in the context of a Sindhi word, Gorakh; can be hypothesized as being the true origin of the name of Gorakh hill, and that it is essentially derived from Sindhi... Since Gorakh is a Pasturing Area, with difficult tracks, curvy and dangerous ways, labyrinthine ascents or inclines and intricate passes like Khawal, and too difficult to reach or cross casually.

The Hill Station receives winter snowfall and is among one of the only places in Sindh to have snowfall in winters. The mountains were completely covered with a blanket of snow in 2008 winters. That is why Government has decided to upgrade this place into a hill station so that people from Karachi and Hyderabad could see snowfall without going far flung areas of the country. The local shepherds, fearing wolves, therefore, would have named it, Gorakh, within the background, and meaning, of the Shepherds used Sindhi term of expression. Thus, we are correct, in our thinking, that Gorakh hill was indeed named within the background and meaning, of a Definitive Term of Sindhi, Defining a ...Sindhi word... Gorakh, as explained.