UP CM Adityanath performs his other duty: As Gorakhnath temple priest

GORAKHPUR: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has been discharging his duties as the "Paathadeeshwar (head priest)" of the Gorakhnath Temple during the festive period of Navratras and Dusshera. Yogi, who is fasting during the nine-day period of Navratras, will stay in Gorakhpur till Saturday, when he will lead a "shobha yatra" from the monastery to the local Ramlila Ground, following decades-old tradition.

The CM is performing all rituals connected to the 10-day festivities, including puja and havan, in the temple. Along with his priestly duties, Yogi is also giving directions to his ministers and administration through his secretary Ajay Singh, who is accompanying him in Gorakhpur. Yogi has been performing special prayers at his "pooja sthal (place for puja)" in his residential area in the temple.

On Wednesday evening, Yogi performed Ma Kalratri puja along with a havan. Following the tradition of the Nath cult, he began the puja on the eve of Ashtami (8th day of the Navratras) with Gauri Shankar Pujan, Varun Pujan and Yantra Pujan. After this, he performed puja of several gods and goddesses, whose idols are installed in the temple, including Goddess Durga, Lord Ram, Goddess Sita, Lord Krishna, Gau Mata and Nav Grah, amid the chanting of Vedic mantras.

Yogi, who is also the mahant of the monastery, performed Maha Gauri Pujan on Thursday. After the puja in the morning, he met temple authorities, officials and MLAs in his residential area.