Yogi takes part in Kalash Sthapana at Goraksh Peeth

Gorakhpur: UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday participated in the Kalash Sthapana ceremony at Goraksh Peeth, the spiritual abode of Guru Gorakshnath, the leader of the Nathpanth, amid chant of Vedic hymns as the Sharadiya Navratri celebrations started.
CM Yogi also offered prayers to Maa Shailputri, the first of the nine forms of Goddess Durga worshipped during the Navratri on the first day of the festival.
The rituals of the first day, which lasted for two hours, concluded with the worship of ‘Jagat Janani’ (mother of the world), Devi recitation, aarti and prayer for forgiveness. Prior to Kalash Sthapana, the traditional grand Kalash procession was taken out with religious fervour on the premises of Gorakhnath temple.
At around 5.30 pm, the head priest of the temple, Yogi Kamal Nath, was sent by Goraksha Peethadheeshwar with a trident of Shivavatari Guru Gorakhnath as part of the ritual. Under the leadership of Yogi Kamal Nath, the procession of saints reached the mythological Bhima Sarovar amid chants of Maa Durga where they filled the kalash, circumambulated the lake and returned to Shakti Peeth.
Yogi himself raised a water-filled urn and placed the Kalash in the sanctum sanctorum of the Shakti Peeth located on the first floor of the Math by invoking Lord Varuna in the midst of Vedic chants. Goraksh Peethadhishwar first worshiped Gauri-Ganesh by consecrating trident, the weapon of Maa Durga, Lord Shiva and Guru Gorakhnath.
The recitation of Shrimad Devi Bhagwat and Shridurgasaptshati also started in the sanctum sanctorum of the Durga temple (Shakti Peeth). Goraksh Peethadhishwar Yogi also participated in aarti. Aarti and Prasad distribution were done after the recitation.
Under the leadership of Acharya Ramanuj Tripathi, the head priest of the temple, all the rituals were performed by other priests, teachers of Sanskrit Vidyapeeth and Vedapathi students.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is on a fast for nine days for the Navratri festival. He has been observing the fast since his arrival at Goraksha Peeth more than two and a half decades ago. Before becoming the CM, Yogi used to stay on the first floor of the Gorakhnath Math for the entire Navratri. (UNI)