Porridge festival celebrated in Gorakhpur

Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh), Jan 14 (ANI): On the occasion of Makar Sankranti festival, thousands of devotees in Gorakhpur offered rice and pulses at the holy shrine of Lord Shiva.

Devotees from across the country thronged the Gorakhnath Temple from early morning on Wednesday and offered huge quantities of ‘khichri’ (porridge).

"We have come to offer ‘khichri’ (porridge) to Baba Gorakhnath as we herald the New Year. We hope that whatever we wish we cherish in our hearts, would come true and peace would prevail," said Ram Pratap Mall, a devotee.

Devotees have been following this age-old tradition of offering ‘khichri’ to Lord Gorakhnath in the hope that it will bring good luck.

"People believe that their wishes will come true if they offer prayers on this day when the sun changes the zodiac and herald a new beginning. The day is auspicious for any new beginning," said Yogi Aditya Nath, head priest of the Gorakhnath Temple.

The majestic temple has been constructed at the spot where the 12th century Hindu saint Baba Gorakhnath is said to have meditated. The most attractive feature of this temple is the sanctum sanctorum where sage Gorakhnath is portrayed as a manifestation of Lord Shiva in deep meditation posture. Saint Gorakhnath has influenced generations of Hindus that follow his Nath sect.

The temple had a long tradition that the first offering of the porridge to the diety on Makar Sankranti would be made by the king of Nepal. But this year, the king, who was deposed last year, did not turn up for the ceremony. By Pawan Shah (ANI)

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