Kanphata

(“split ear”) Colloquial name for the
Nathpanthi sect of ascetics, who are
followers of the sage Gorakhnath.
This particular name stems from the
Nathpanthi’s most characteristic
feature: When a Nathpanthi ascetic
is ready for final initiation, the cartilage
in his ears is slit with a razor to insert
the large earrings by which members
of this group are easily identified.
See Nathpanthi.