Gorakhpur: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday performed ‘Kanya Pujan’ on the ninth day of Chaitra Navratri in Gorakhpur. He extended his heartfelt greetings to the people of the state, highlighting the significance of the ninth day of Navratri, which brings spiritual attainments, prosperity, and well-being.Following the Gorakshpeeth tradition, the chief minister washed the feet of nine young girls, who symbolised the nine forms of Goddess Durga, offered prayers, draped them with chunris, and performed aarti. He also served food to the girls and presented them with gifts and ‘dakshina’, seeking their blessings.Yogi said, “The ninth day of Navratri is an auspicious occasion that bestows all forms of spiritual attainments, ushers in happiness and prosperity, and grants overall well-being. I extend my heartfelt greetings to the people of the state for Navratri. I offer my best wishes to the citizens, praying that the grace of the Mother Goddess may always remain upon their lives, and that their lives be filled with joy and prosperity.““This day also marks the celebration of the birth anniversary of Lord Ram, observed as Ram Navami. Lord Ram has always served as an eternal source of inspiration for every Indian, standing as the supreme ideal of the Indian way of life within the tradition of India’s Sanatan Dharm,” he said.The ritual was held at the temple’s ‘ann kshetra’, where Yogi also performed ‘Batuk Pujan’.Earlier in the morning, special prayers were offered to Goddess Siddhidatri at the temple’s Shaktipeeth as part of the Navami rituals.After completing ‘Kanya Pujan’, the CM proceeded to the Ram Darbar inside the Gorakhnath Temple, where he offered prayers to the installed deities on the occasion of Ram Navami. The idol of Ram Lalla, adorned and placed in a flower-decked cradle, was worshipped amid Vedic chants at noon, symbolising the moment of Lord Ram’s birth.The chief minister applied ‘tilak’, offered garlands and completed the rituals before gently rocking the cradle of the deity in reverence.tnn
