Traditionally there are twelve sub sections or divisions of order of Gorakhnathis. Each organized by a disciple of Gorakhnath. While some of the sub sects are formed after the death of Gorakhnath, still they were formed on the lines of the order of Gorakhnathis. However, the whole number of sub sects named in the several lists exceeds twelve. But they are not major divisions. There were formerly eighteen panths of Lord Shiva. The twelve sub-sects form the order of the Gorakhnath. The principal sub sects forming the division of the order of Gorakhnathis are as follows -

Satnath - This division is particularly associated with fourth of the sects surviving from the Shiva panths. They have establishments at Bhewa, Thanesar and Karnal. According to the mahant at Puri, the patch-work cap, coat and quilt are a mark of this sub-sect. This panth is said t follow Brahma.

Ramnath - This division of the order of the Gorakhnathis is sometimes wrongly identified with Ramcandra. This sub-sect is related to the Siva group called Gopal. Their chief gaddi is at Delhi. Gopalnathis are reported from Jodhpur.

Dharamnath - This sub-division traces its origin in Raja Dharam who became a Yogi of the line of Satnath. Their headquarters are on the Godavari; and they have a famous and important monastery at Dhinodhar in Kacch. Dharamnath is also said to have been a disciple of Matsyendranath, and is counted as one of the nine Nathas. But the previous statement is in closer accord with traditions concerning him.

Laksmannath - Laksmannath succeeded Gorakhnath at Tilla. This panth has two divisions, or schools and Darya. The distinctive characteristics of these two are that the former reside on the hill at Tilla, while the latter live on the plains. Darya is also considered as a separate panth having its origin at Tilla. The other sub-sect is known as Natesri in Amritsar, and as Darbarl Tilla Bal Gondal in Hoshiarpur. This is the Heth, or Hethnath, panth of original Gorakhnathis. To this division belong the Haith of the Ambala and Jhelum districts and Baljati of the Karnal, Ranjha belonged to Natesri. The Jafir Pirs follow Ranjha.

Daryanath - Although now a separate panth, this division belongs to the Heth panth of the original Gorakhnathis. Members of this panth are found all through North India and Punjab. Many are found in Sind. Their sacred seat is at Uderolal in Sind, where is found tomb of an infant who transformed himself into an armed horseman and emerged from the Indus to rebuke the Muslim Mohammad Yusuf of Tatta. At his temple in Uderolal a lamp is kept burning perpetually and at the new moon he is worshipped at the river, or at a canal or by water, with rice, sugar-candy, spices, fruit and lighted lamps. He left the world by disappearing into the ground. There was a dispute between Hindus and Muslims as to the disposal of his body by cremation or burial.

Ganganath - This sub-sect was founded by Ganganath who followed Kapalmuni. From this division some trace the Kayanaths. There is some connection with the Ratannath sub division.

Bairag (Bhartrhari, Bairag Catri) - This is the fourth of the original panths of Gorakhnath. It traces its origin to Bhartrhari who was initiated by Jalandharipa; but who is said to have been a disciple of Gorakhnath.

Rawal or Nagnath - This is the third of the original Siva group. The Rawals, who are the most important of Musalman Yogis, are great wanderers. In the western districts of the Punjab `they are occultists and quacks. There are two main groups of them: the Madia, said to have been founded by Gorakhnath; and the Gal who referred to Siva and who are known as Pagalpanthis and Rawal Galla. Those of the second division are in Peshawar, and the Bohar monastery in Rohtak belongs to them. The chief seat of the Rawals is at Rawalpindi and members of the panth are found in Hajaro and in Afghanistan.

Jalandharipa - These belong to the Papnath panth, the fifth of the original Gorakhnathis. But the `paramparas` or customs agree that Jalandharipa belongs to an earlier branch of the sect. The Papnath are also known as Panath.

Aipanth - This panth is related to Colinath of the original Gorakhnathi group, and is connected with both Bhushtai and Karkai, disciples of Gorakhnath. Karkainath is also known as Kanaknath and Kankhnath. The followers of the two Yogis last named are said to belong to schools of the Hethnath. The Aipanthis of Hardwar say that they were followers of Pir Parasnath, and that they separated from them through the worship of Aidevi. They trace their origin back to a female disciple of Gorakhnath, now known as Bimla Devi. They explain this by saying that `Ai` means `Mai` (Mother, Goddess). They used to use `ai` instead of `nath` in their names, but five generations after Narmaiji they resumed the name of `nath`. Mainathis probably sprang from this group.

Kaplini - This division, included in the Candnath sub-sect of the old order of Gorakhnathis, traces its origin to Kapalmuni, a disciple of Gorakhnath, and was founded by Ajaipal. This panth is also called Kapil. A group belonging to this sub-sect is the Nimnathi, also called Gaphlani, or Khiskai. The headquarters of the panth are at Ganga Sagar.

Dhajjanath - This panth, the sixth of the old Gorakhnathi list, is associated with the name of Mahabir (Hanuman). At Tilla, this is counted as one of the twelve sub-sects.

Kanipa - While Jalandharipa was confined in the well at Ujjain, from which he was finally rescued through the help of Gorakhnath and Matsyendranath, his disciple, Kanipa occupied his teacher`s place as mahant. He afterwards founded a panth. From this line came Gopicand (Candra) otherwise known as Siddh Sangari, who became one of the eighty-four Siddhas. Gopicand is sometimes given as the name of a panth; and Gopicand is considered also as a disciple both of Kanipa and of Jalandharipa.

However, Kanipa are not considered as one the twelve major divisions of the order of Gorakhnathis. In fact, they are considered as a half sub sect.