Mahant

Mahant (/məˈhʌnt/) is a religious superior, in particular the chief of a temple or the head of a monastery in Indian religions.^[1]

James Mallinson, one of the few westerners to be named as a mahant,^[2] describes the position of a mahant as a combination of an abbot and a brigadier.^[3]

Etymology

The

Other titles for the word Mahant, serving in the context of a well known religious place, include priest or pundit—generally always being a gyani or pastor.^{[citation needed]}

Brahmins with Mahant surname are also found in Himachal Pradesh region. They speak local dialects of Pahari and Hindi and read and write in Devanagari. They are vegetarians. The Mahant are monogamous and marriage is by discussion. They make their living from the temples.^[5]

In other branches of