Gorakhnath Math, that is hub of politics, has non-Brahmin priests
The Gorakhnath Math in Gorakhpur, where Yogi Adityanath is mahant or chief priest, traces its origin to the 11th century monk Guru Gorakshnath, a yogi of the Nath Sampradaya -a Shaivite tradition within Hinduism. The Naths, in turn, attribute their origin to Dattatreya, the little-known single embodiment of the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh.
Interestingly, Dattatreya and his followers were believed to inhabit the Girnar forest in modern-day Gujarat.Among Dattatreya's disciples was Matsayendranath, the preceptor of Gorakshnath -the latter's revolutionary contribution to his times was simplifying the Upanishadic teachings. He gave the Shabar Mantra -a pledge to Lord Shiva -to the common people, making no distinction of caste or communal identity . In mythological terms, Gorakshnath's following was akin to Lord Shiva's baraat that included every living being.
In time, the Gorakshnath (literally, protector of cow) Shaktipeeth emerged as an egalitarian construct where, to this day , the festival of Makar Sankranti is observed with distribution of khichdi to people of all castes, religions and faiths. It's a centuries-old tradition.
Today's Gorakhnath Math is a religious and political institution that runs two temp les, one in Nepal and the other south of Gorakhpur that's said to contain the samadhi -a yogi's final resting place -of Guru Gorakshnath.
Because the monastic order, according to the principles of Gorakshnath, does not follow caste rules as other Hindu religious denominations do, non-Brahmins have served as its temple priests.Yogi Adityanath is a Thakur.
The Math has been a hub of politics for decades. Mahant Digvijay Nath was a Congress member in 1921. He was arrested for "actively participating" in the Chauri Chaura incident in which protesters clashed with cops.
After Independence, Digvijay was arrested for incendiary speeches against Gandhi before his assassination.He later led the Ram Janmabhoomi movement of 1949.
Interestingly, Dattatreya and his followers were believed to inhabit the Girnar forest in modern-day Gujarat.Among Dattatreya's disciples was Matsayendranath, the preceptor of Gorakshnath -the latter's revolutionary contribution to his times was simplifying the Upanishadic teachings. He gave the Shabar Mantra -a pledge to Lord Shiva -to the common people, making no distinction of caste or communal identity . In mythological terms, Gorakshnath's following was akin to Lord Shiva's baraat that included every living being.
In time, the Gorakshnath (literally, protector of cow) Shaktipeeth emerged as an egalitarian construct where, to this day , the festival of Makar Sankranti is observed with distribution of khichdi to people of all castes, religions and faiths. It's a centuries-old tradition.
Today's Gorakhnath Math is a religious and political institution that runs two temp les, one in Nepal and the other south of Gorakhpur that's said to contain the samadhi -a yogi's final resting place -of Guru Gorakshnath.
Because the monastic order, according to the principles of Gorakshnath, does not follow caste rules as other Hindu religious denominations do, non-Brahmins have served as its temple priests.Yogi Adityanath is a Thakur.
The Math has been a hub of politics for decades. Mahant Digvijay Nath was a Congress member in 1921. He was arrested for "actively participating" in the Chauri Chaura incident in which protesters clashed with cops.
After Independence, Digvijay was arrested for incendiary speeches against Gandhi before his assassination.He later led the Ram Janmabhoomi movement of 1949.
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