Gorakhpur: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath will step into the dual role of disciple and guru during the Guru Purnima celebrations at Gorakhnath Temple on Wednesday, carrying forward the centuries-old spiritual tradition of the Gorakshpeeth.As the Peethadheeshwar of Gorakshpeeth, Yogi will first perform the duties of a disciple by offering prayers to Mahayogi Guru Gorakhnath and paying homage to the lineage of spiritual masters, including his late guru, Mahant Avaidyanath. Later, as the head of the Gorakshpeeth, he will bless saints, disciples and devotees who gather at the temple on the auspicious occasion.Guru Purnima holds profound significance in the Nath tradition, where the guru is revered as the embodiment of the divine. The rituals will commence early in the morning with the traditional offering of ‘rot’ to Guru Gorakhnath, followed by special prayers at temples and samadhi shrines across the temple complex and a collective aarti.The occasion will also mark the culmination of the seven-day Ram Katha, which has been underway at the temple since July 23. The celebrations will conclude with devotional programmes, blessings by the Gorakshpeethadheeshwar and a community feast.The Gorakshpeeth has a long-standing legacy of public service through education, healthcare and social welfare. Successive pontiffs—from Mahant Digvijaynath and Mahant Avaidyanath to Yogi Adityanath—have expanded initiatives aimed at social upliftment, making Guru Purnima not only a celebration of spiritual heritage but also a reaffirmation of the Peeth’s enduring commitment to public service.
