The Sanskrit word nāthá or नाथ, is the proper name of a Hindu initiatory tradition and the word itself literally means "lord, protector, refuge". The related Sanskrit term Adi Natha means first or original Lord, and is therefore a synonym for Shiva, Mahadeva, or Maheshvara, and beyond these supramental concepts, the Supreme Absolute Reality as the basis supporting all aspects and manifestations of consciousness.

The Nath tradition is a heterodox siddha tradition containing many sub-sects. It was founded by Matsyendranath and further developed by Gorakshanath. These two individuals are also revered in Tibetan Buddhism^{[citation needed]} as Mahasiddhas (great adepts) and are credited with great powers and perfected spiritual attainment.

The Natha Sampradaya (Devanagari:नाथ संप्रदाय), is a development of the earlier Siddha or Avadhuta Sampradaya, an ancient lineage of spiritual masters. Its founding is traditionally ascribed as an ideal reflected by the life and spiritual attainments of the guru Dattatreya, who was considered by many to have been a human incarnation of Lord Vishnu born to Rishi Atri and Anasuya mata. Shiva. The establishment of the Naths as a distinct historical sect purportedly began around the 8th or 9th century with a simple fisherman, Matsyendranath (sometimes called Minanath, who may be identified with or called the father of Matsyendranath in some sources).

Alok Nath (Hindi: आलोक नाथ) (born 10 July 1956) is an Indian film actor who appears in Bollywood movies. He is most notable for playing the role of Haveli Ram in Ramesh Sippy's television series, Buniyaad.

He was born in Mumbai,^{[citation needed]} India and began acting as a child. However he did not take acting very seriously until he got his breaks. He was an employee of Kitply India from 1973 until 1995 when his acting commitments led him to quit his employment. His family belongs to Bihar's Khagadia districts and his in laws are still living in Patna.

He first rose to fame for his role in the 1987 television series, Buniyaad. He went on to essay the role of Deepak in the television serial Tara. He later appeared in the 1989 film, Maine Pyar Kiya, playing the father of Bhagyashree Patwardhan's character, Suman. He has appeared in some of the biggest hits of Bollywood, playing supporting roles as a father or uncle who is shown as a humble and a kind person. Prime examples are Taal, Maine Pyar Kiya, Hum Saath-Saath Hain: We Stand United, Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!, Pardes and Vivah. Some of the negative roles he played are in Bol Radha Bol,Vinashak – Destroyer and Shadyantra. He also made an appearance in the international award-winning Richard Attenborough directed film Gandhi (1982).

Kamal Nath (born 18 November 1946) is an Indian politician and the current Union Cabinet Minister of Urban Development. He is a member of the 15th Lok Sabha of India. He represents the Chhindwara constituency of Madhya Pradesh and is a member of the Indian National Congress (INC).

Born in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. He is an alumnus of The Doon School, and a graduate of St. Xavier's College of the University of Calcutta.

Kamal Nath was first elected to the 7th Lok Sabha in 1980. He was re-elected to the 8th Lok Sabha in 1985, the 9th Lok Sabha in 1989, and the 10th Lok Sabha in 1991.

He was inducted into the Union Council of Ministers, Ministry of Environment and Forests as Minister of Environment & Forests in June 1991. From 1995 to 1996 he served as Union Minister of State, Textiles (Independent Charge).

He was then elected to the 12th Lok Sabha in 1998 and the 13th Lok Sabha in 1999. From 2001 to 2004, he was the General Secretary of the INC. He was re-elected to the 14th Lok Sabha in the 2004 elections and served as Union Cabinet Minister of Commerce & Industry from 2004 to 2009.

Baba Balak Nath or Sidh Baba Balak Nath Hindi: बाबा बालक नाथ जी, Punjabi: ਬਾਬਾ ਬਾਲਕ ਨਾਥ ਜੀ is a Hindu deity worshipped in the northern Indian states of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. His shrine is known as "Deotsidh". It is 45 Kilometers from "Hamirpur"Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh and is on the border of Hamirpur and Bilaspur districts of Himachal Pradesh, India. Baba Balak Nath Temple is situated at the village of "Chakmoh" in the district of Hamirpur on the hill top, in a natural cave/"Gufa" carved in the hills, considered to be the abode of Baba. An Idol-Image of Baba is placed in the cave. The devotees offer Sweet Indian Flour Bread"Roti" (a bread made of raw sugar/"Gur"Jaggery mixed with wheat flour and cooked in Pure Ghee)at the altar of Baba, ( When pure clarified sugarcane juice is boiled, what is left as solid is called as Gur which is called jaggery also). Goats are also offered to Baba as a gesture for his love. Goats are not slaughtered though; rather they are being fed and taken care of. The entry of women devotees is prohibited in the cave. However, there is a raised platform just opposite to the cave from where the women can have Darshan of the Babaji's Idol. Just 6 (six) kilometers ahead of the "Deot-Sidh" Temple, there is a small town named "Shah-talai” where Babaji is said to have practiced penance. The ancient name of this place was Changer-Talai. Baba Balak Nath’s worship and grazing Mata Ratno’s cattle’s, later returning her mattress of Chach-it got famous by the name of Chahtalai which later turned to Shahtalai, where Baba is said to have practiced disambiguationDhyana meditation.