Gorakhnath temple will miss its head priest this Navratri

GORAKHPUR:Kamal Nath, a priest in Gorakhnath Temple, is worried over the fact that chief minister Aditya Nath Yogi will be staying in Lucknow during the auspicious Chaitra Navratri.

“He used to fast and offer prayers in the morning as well as in the evening during Navratri. His activities are usually limited within the temple premises and rarely did he venture out,” says the priest while wondering how with his busy schedule, the CM will follow the ritual during the nine-day period.

Since Aditya Nath is also the Mahanth of Gorakhnath Muth, as per tradition, he leads the prayer ceremony during Navratri. As chief minister, with so much of the responsibility and hectic schedule, he cannot stay in the Gorakhnath temple premises for nine days.

While his aides will discuss the issue with Aditya Nath, the plan is to hold grand ritual at his official residence in Lucknow too. “The idols, photos and other ancillary items required for the rituals will be sent to the CM residence from Gorakhpur,” said a staff of Gorakhnath Temple Trust.

On the penultimate day of Navratri, a special puja of nine girls depicting nine goddesses is conducted. Another puja of a boy considered Batuk Nath is also performed.

“During all such rituals, Aditya Nath himself serves them the specially-cooked food and it will be first time after his appointment as Mahanth that he will not be present here,” said a priest.