Ayodhya is our motherland, Ram an inspiration, says Yogi
GORAKHPUR :Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday said Ayodhya was his motherland and Lord Ram was his source of inspiration.
Inaugurating a week-long session of ‘Ram katha’ (recitation of the Ramayana) at Gorakhnath Temple here, Yogi said Lanka was made of pure gold yet it could not be compared to Ayodhya.
“Lord Ram has given a lot to this country. He is a source of inspiration for all in family and social life and even when it comes to patriotism and nationalism,” Yogi said.
‘Ram katha’, narrated by Swami Shankaracharya of Ayodhya, was organised on the opening day of the week-long programme to pay tribute to former chief priests of Gorakhnath Temple – mahant Avaidyanath and mahant Digvijaynath – to mark their death anniversaries.
“Lord Ram’s life is an example for us. People know the story of the Ramayana but whenever ‘Ram katha’ is organised, people listen to it with renewed interest,” he added.
Yogi also cited the episodes of the Ramayana to emphasise why Ravan was defeated by Lord Ram.
“Despite being powerful, Ravan was defeated by Ram. When Ram asked the reason for it, Ravan said he was defeated as his brother (Vibhishan) was not with him while Laxman stood by Ram,” he said.
“You will also meet the fate of Ravan if you are divided on the basis of caste or creed and will be victorious like Ram if you stay united,” Yogi Adityanath added.
He said during his previous visits, he went to meet flood victims and saw them singing devotional songs to seek strength from Lord Ram during the time of crisis.
“Over 50,000 lunch packets were distributed daily among flood victims in Gorakhpur, Siddharthnagar, Maharajganj and Deoria,” Yogi said.
As the chief minister concluded his speech, a few saints demanded that the disputed site in Ayodhya should be handed over to the Hindus.
During the week-long programme, saints from all parts of the country will discuss issues related to Sanatan Dharma, cows, Indian culture and tradition.
Earlier in the day, an Akhand Jyoti Yatra, led by Yogi Adityanath and other priests, was taken out on the temple premises.
Lord Ram’s life is an example for us. People know the story of the Ramayana but whenever ‘Ram katha’ is organised, people listen to it with renewed interest YOGI ADITYANATH, chief minister