INTRODUCTION

The Gorakhnath Temple in Gorakhpur is named after the Guru Gorakhnath who learned his lessons in austerities from Matsyendranath, the founder of Nath Sampradaya (monastic group). Together with his disciple Gorakhnath, Guru Matsyendranath founded the school of Hatha Yoga, one of the school’s most well known and practiced schools of Yoga.

BELIEFS OF PEOPLE

Legend says that Baba Gorakhnath didn’t stop his meditation even when a large anthill grows over him. Finally, his meditation helps in attaining great power. Hence, this temple is said to be very powerful. Those who worship Baba Gorakhnath here with a pure heart are said to rewarded by him; all wishes are said to come true. He said to have performed meditation under a big Banyan tree near the temple. Today, people tie sacred threads to this tree as an offering

HISTORY OF TEMPLE

Gorakhnath Temple is located in Gorakhpur city of Uttar Pradesh. The district is named Gorakhpur after Baba Gorakhnath. Although this temple has a lot of recognition, but these days, after the temple’s Mahant Baba Adityanath became the CM of UP, this temple came into more discussions. The present Mahant of Gorakhnath Temple is Shri Baba Yogi Adityanath.

In the records of the temple, it is revealed that the Gorakhpur Gorakhnath Temple structure and shape was transformed over a period of time. In fact, many attempts were made to destroy this temple during the rule of the Sultanate and the Mughal era. First, it was the Alaudin Khilji who destroyed the Gorakhnath temple in the 14th century and later it was destroyed by yet another devout Islamic ruler of India Aurangzeb in 18th century.

MAKARSANKRANTHI

A huge fair is held here on the occasion of Makarsankranti o 14 of january, which is famous as ‘KhichdiMela’. Special security arrangements are made outside the temple on the day of Makarsankranti.According to one popular belief the tradition of making kichidi was started by lord shiva.as people of gorakhnath believed that baba gorakhnathji was from lord shiva so they too started preparing kichidi .

 Another mythological strory is that when Nath Yogi was competing with Khilgi they used to become so tired of fighting that he had no time in cooking food due to which they were getting weaker day by day.Inorder to remove the weakness of his yogis he used to cook dal,rice and few vegetables and named that dish as kichidi which was liked by all of them.So during this mela  Baba Gorakhnath is offered kichidi as bhog.

CONCLUSION

Thousands of devotees come to these temples on the occasion of Makara sankranthi, when they offer kichidi,gorakhnath Baba. The King of Nepal also occasionally visits one of these temples during this festival.

The Gorakhnath Math has a significant following in eastern Uttar Pradesh and the Terai regions of Nepal, and also among wider circles across the Nath groups. The monastic order, according to the principles of saint Gorakhnath, does not follow caste conventions as other Hindu religious groups do. Thus, non-Brahmins may serve as priests.