CM Yogi takes part in Kalashsthapan at Gorakshpeeth as Navratri fest starts

Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh) [India], September 26 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took part in the Kalashsthapan ceremony at Gorakshpeeth, the spiritual abode of Guru Gorakshanath, the leader of the Nathpanth, amid chant of Vedic hymns as the Sharadiya Navratri celebrations started on Monday.
As per a press release, "CM Yogi also offered prayers to Maa Shailputri, the first of the nine forms of Goddess Durga worshipped during the Navratri on the first day of the festival."
The rituals of the first day, which lasted for two hours, concluded with the worship of 'Jagatjanani' (mother of the world), Devi recitation, aarti and prayer for forgiveness. Prior to Kalashsthapan, the traditional grand Kalash procession was taken out with religious fervour on the premises of Gorakhnath temple.
At around 5.30 pm, the head priest of the temple, Yogi Kamal Nath, was sent by Gorakshpeethadhishwar with a trident of Shivavatari Guru Gorakshanath as part of the ritual. Under the leadership of Yogi Kamal Nath, the procession of saints reached the mythological Bhima Sarovar amid chants of Maa Durga where they filled the kalash, circumambulated the lake and returned to Shaktipeeth.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath himself raised a water-filled urn and placed the Kalash in the sanctum sanctorum of the Shaktipeeth located on the first floor of the Math by invoking Lord Varuna in the midst of Vedic chants. Goraksha Peethadhishwar first worshipped Gauri-Ganesh by consecrating the trident, the weapon of Maa Durga, Lord Shiva and Guru Gorakhnath.
The recitation of Shrimad Devi Bhagwat and Shridurgasaptshati also started in the sanctum sanctorum of the Durga temple (Shaktipeeth). Chief Minister and Gorakshpeethadhishwar Yogi Adityanath also participated in the aarti.
Under the leadership of Acharya Ramanuj Tripathi, the head priest of the temple, all the rituals were performed by other priests, teachers of Sanskrit Vidyapeeth and Vedapathi students.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is on a fast for nine days for the Navratri festival. He has been observing the fast since his arrival at Gorakshpeethor more than two and a half decades ago. Before becoming the Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath used to stay on the first floor of the Gorakhnath Math for the entire Navratri. (ANI)