Gorakhpur: The Sharadiya Navratri festivities commenced at the sacred Shaktipeeth of Gorakhnath Temple with traditional rituals and fervent devotion. Gorakshpeethadhishwar and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath led the rituals, performing the Kalash Sthapana on the first day of Navratri (Pratipada) as per the age-old tradition of the Peeth.
Amid chanting of Vedic hymns, the Chief Minister installed the Kalash in the sanctum of the Shaktipeeth and performed special worship dedicated to Maa Shailputri, the first manifestation of Goddess Durga. The day’s rituals concluded with Devi Path, Aarti, and Kshama Prarthana (prayer for forgiveness).
Prior to the Kalash Sthapana, a grand Kalash Shobhayatra was carried out in the Gorakhnath Temple premises with great devotion. Led by the temple’s chief priest Yogi Kamalnath, the procession of saints and devotees reached the sacred Bhim Sarovar, accompanied by the sounds of traditional instruments like conch shells, bells, and trumpets, along with chants in praise of Goddess Durga. After filling the Kalash with water and circumambulating the Sarovar, the procession returned to the Shaktipeeth.
CM Yogi Adityanath himself carried the sacred Kalash to the sanctum, where invoking Lord Varuna, he ceremoniously placed it with Vedic rituals. He also worshipped Goddess Durga, Lord Shiva, and Guru Gorakhnath’s trident before offering prayers to Gauri and Ganesha.
With this, the recitation of Shrimad Devi Bhagwat and Durga Saptashati began in the sanctum of the Durga temple. The day’s observances concluded with evening Aarti and distribution of Prasad.
