Gorakhpur: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath performed the Mahanisha puja and havan at the Shaktipeeth inside Gorakhnath temple on Sunday night, following the traditional rituals of the Gorakshpeeth on Maha Ashtami, the eighth day of Sharadiya Navratri. The elaborate ritual, which lasted over two hours, included prayers for the prosperity and well-being of the people of the state and the welfare of all living beings.Before beginning the Mahanisha puja, Yogi worshipped Goddess Mahagauri, the eighth manifestation of Goddess Adishakti. The ritual was performed amid Vedic chants and the recitation of sacred hymns.After arriving in Gorakhpur on Sunday, the chief minister went straight to Gorakhnath temple, where he first offered prayers at the main shrine of Baba Gorakhnath. He then paid obeisance at the samadhi of his spiritual guru, Mahant Avaidyanath.The Mahanisha puja began at the temple’s Shaktipeeth under Yogi’s leadership. He is also the Gorakshpeethadhishwar. As he entered the sanctum, the premises reverberated with Vedic chants and slogans praising Goddess Bhagwati.The rituals included the worship of Gauri-Ganesh, Varun, the sacred seat and yantra, Goddess Durga, Lord Ram, Lakshman and Sita, Lord Krishna, the cow, the nine planets, Bilva, presiding deities and weapons. Prayers were also offered to the 12 Jyotirlingas, Ardhanarishwar, Shiva-Shakti, Batuk Bhairav, Kaal Bhairav and Trishul Parvat.During the havan, the chief minister invoked and worshipped Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra and Agni. He also cut the barley shoots growing on the altar at the Shaktipeeth and prayed to Goddess Durga for a peaceful and prosperous life for all citizens.The ritual concluded with the havan, accompanied by the recitation of the Durga Saptashati and Vedic mantras. After the final aarti and prayers seeking forgiveness for any omissions in the rituals, prasad was distributed among devotees. A large number of devotees were present at the temple.
