French ambassador visits Gorakhnath temple
LUCKNOW: Emmanuel Lenain, the ambassador of France in India, visited the Gorakhnath temple in Gorakhpur on Thursday.
He participated in religious rituals and prayers organised on the temple premises. During his hour-long stay, he learned about the temple, visited the cow shelter on the premises and fed jaggery to the cows.
A spokesperson for the Gorakhnath temple trust said the beauty of the temple virtually mesmerised Lenain. He visited the other shrines located in the premises. Dr Pradeep Rao, principal of Maharana Pratap PG College, informed him about the specialties of this world-famous temple. Lenain also took photographs at Bhim Sarovar and other spots.
The ambassador was informed about the various welfare schemes and development projects run by chief minister Yogi Adityanath, who is also the Mahanth (head priest) of the temple. He was also made aware of the cow protection campaign organised by the temple trust.
Gorakhnath temple priest Yogi Kamal Nath, secretary Dwarka Tiwari, Guru Gorakshanath Hospital director Brigadier KPB Singh and media in-charge Vinay Gautam welcomed Lenain on the Gorakhnath temple premises.
Lenain was presented religious and cultural books of the Geeta Press and the Gorakhnath Temple, published in English and French, by the Gorakhnath temple management.
Earlier, Lenain, who is on a two-day visit to Uttar Pradesh, was welcomed by Gorakhpur district magistrate Vijayendra Pandian.
On Wednesday, Lenain met chief minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow and held a discussion regarding the strengthening of ties between France and India.
“France desires to promote new partnerships, welcome more students from UP, and have more French companies to invest in the state,” he said.