ĀĪ PANTH, one of the twelve sects of yogīs, whose adherents worship Āī Bhavānī, a tribal female deity, believed to be an extension of Śakti. Śiva in the form of ardhanārīśvara is said to have two forms represented by his own halves. His right side is the male whose followers are called dakṣināchārīs, whereas his left portion represents the female known as Śakti, the basic power also called Ambā, Durgā, Kālī or Bhavānī. Worshippers of the female aspect of Śiva are called vāmamārgīs, known for their peculiar beliefs and customs. They accept no taboos in the matter of food and accord religious sanction to sexual freedom. They practise austerities; for a living they would go begging from house to house. Their living style (jugat) consists in smearing their bodies with ashes (bibhūt), wearing heavy rings (mundā or mundrā) in their split ears and covering their bodies with a loose shroud (khinthā). When they go out begging, they carry a begging bowl in one hand and a club (ḍaṇḍā) or fire-tongs in the other.
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