a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
CM Yogi leads Janmashtami rituals at Gorakhnath
Gorakhpur
: The sacred festival of
Krishna Janmashtami
was celebrated with traditional fervour and devotion at the Gorakhnath Temple in the presence of Chief Minister and Gorakshapeethadhishwar
Yogi Adityanath
. Arriving from Lucknow late on Saturday night, the CM led the midnight rituals marking the divine appearance of Lord Krishna.
At the temple, the CM first paid homage at Guru Gorakhnath's shrine and bowed before the samadhi of his spiritual guru, Mahant Avaidyanath.
The festivities began with soulful bhajans at the Mahant Digvijayanath Smriti auditorium, where children dressed as Radha and Krishna added a colourful and festive charm to the atmosphere. The CM interacted warmly with them, showering affection, sharing light-hearted moments, and presenting toys and chocolates.
As the clock struck midnight, the temple premises echoed with the sounds of conch shells, bells, and devotional chants. CM Yogi carried the idol of infant Krishna from the sanctum sanctorum and placed him in a floral cradle. He then performed the ceremonial jhulan (swing ritual), followed by the traditional aarti and the joyous singing of 'Nand Ghar Anand Bhayo' and other hymns.
The event witnessed the participation of prominent personalities, including Gorakhpur MP Ravi Kishan, MP Vijay Dubey, BJP MLC Dharmendra Singh, and saints from Ayodhya and Varanasi.
Thousands of devotees thronged the temple, offering prayers and witnessing the rituals.
Competitions in Krishna–Radha attire drew enthusiastic participation, with prizes awarded to children across different categories. A devotional evening of bhajans, led by noted folk singer Rakesh Srivastava and his troupe, captivated the gathering with traditional renditions of sohar and other folk hymns, adding to the spiritual fervour of the occasion.
During the celebration at the temple, MP Ravi Kishan sang bhajans and broke into an impromptu dance during the evening programme.
Stay updated with the latest local news from your
city
on
Times of India
(TOI). Check upcoming
bank holidays
,
public holidays
, and current
gold rates
and
silver prices
in your area.
