Gorakhpur: The spirit of unity and patriotism filled the streets of Gorakhpur as Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath led the grand Ekta Yatra to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of the Iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Amid chants of “Vande Mataram” and “Bharat Mata ki Jai”, and under a shower of flower petals, thousands of citizens joined the march, turning the city into a sea of tricolour.
The Chief Minister flagged off the historic march from the Nagar Nigam premises in his home constituency of Gorakhpur Urban. The procession moved from the civic headquarters to Vishambhar Pathak Park near Geeta Vatika, brimming with enthusiasm and a deep sense of national pride. CM Yogi himself walked a significant stretch of the route, from Golghar Kali Mandir to Sardar Patel Chauraha, receiving a rousing welcome from citizens lining both sides of the road.
Floral Tributes and Messages of Unity
Before the march began, CM Yogi offered floral tributes to his revered guru, Rashtrasant Brahmaleen Avdhootnath Ji Maharaj, at the Nagar Nigam premises. He then garlanded the statue of Rani Lakshmi Bai at the municipal park, saluting the valour of the warrior queen who led India’s first war of independence.
On the main stage, the Chief Minister paid homage to Bharat Mata and Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, the legendary author of “Vande Mataram”, before addressing the gathering. In his speech, he invoked the life and legacy of Sardar Patel, recalling how the Iron Man’s vision and courage united the nation post-independence. CM Yogi urged citizens to draw inspiration from Patel’s determination and Gandhiji’s ideals of harmony and selfless service.
An Enthusiastic Procession Through the City
The Chief Minister formally launched the Ekta Yatra by garlanding the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Town Hall. Joined by the state’s Jal Shakti Minister and several public representatives, CM Yogi marched alongside a massive crowd waving national flags and chanting patriotic slogans. As the procession advanced, the roads turned saffron, white, and green — echoing the rhythm of unity and pride.
From Town Hall to Patel Chauraha, the route was lined with people from all walks of life — students, traders, artists, and cultural organizations — all showering flower petals on the Chief Minister. At Gandhi Ashram, a young boy holding Sardar Patel’s portrait caught CM Yogi’s attention; the Chief Minister stopped, took the picture from the child’s hands, and blessed him with a smile — a gesture that won the crowd’s applause.
Cultural Showcases and Divine Blessings
Adding colour to the procession, artists’ troupes stationed at various points along the route — including Jal Kal Building, Gandhi Ashram, Baldev Plaza, and Kali Mandir — presented vibrant cultural performances. These included folk dances, patriotic songs, and thematic acts celebrating national integration.
Upon reaching Golghar’s Kali Mandir, CM Yogi offered prayers to Goddess Kali and other deities, before paying floral tribute at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s statue near the temple. The Yatra concluded with chants of unity and a reaffirmation of India’s strength in diversity.
A City United in Spirit
The Ekta Yatra transformed Gorakhpur into a living tableau of patriotism. The sight of countless hands holding the tricolour, the echo of national slogans, and the overwhelming participation of citizens reflected Uttar Pradesh’s unwavering commitment to the idea of “Nation First.”
As CM Yogi Adityanath led the concluding chants of “Bharat Mata ki Jai”, the message resonated clearly across Gorakhpur — unity, discipline, and devotion to the nation remain the enduring foundations of India’s strength.
