CM Yogi celebrates Janmashtami at Gorakhnath temple

Gorakhpur: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath offered Janmashtami prayers and celebrated Lord Krishna’s birth amid chant of Vedic hymns on Tuesday night at Gorakhnath temple.
The Akhand Kirtan which started on Monday evening concluded on Tuesday. The entire temple campus was decorated with lights.
A bhajan programme of popular singer Rakesh Srivastav started around 8pm and continued for half an hour after celebrations of Lord Krishna’s birth at midnight, said temple manager Dwarika Tiwari.
At midnight, CM Yogi carried the idol of baby Krishna and rocked the cradle after placing new-born Lord Krishna (Nand Gopal) in it.
Head pujari Kamalnath, head purohit Acharya Ramanuj Tripathi and temple manager Dwarika Tiwari also offered prayers to Lord Krishna and rocked the cradle.
The singing of Krishna bhajans resumed after prayers and continued for half an hour.
Bal Krishna Sajja competition was not organized this year due to Covid protocol curbs.
On Wednesday morning, CM Yogi offered prayers and took blessings of Guru Gorakshnath, Mahant Digvijaynath and Mahant Avaidyanath and then served the cows and spent some time at the Gaushala in the temple campus.