Gorakhpur, March 22 (HS). In Gorakhpur, the place of worship of Guru Gorakhnath, the joy of Holi is in full swing in the bright colors of social harmony. The two major processions that take place here in Holiyana atmosphere give a special message and become the center of attraction for the entire state. Due to the participation of Gorakshpeeth in both these processions (Holika Dahan and Holikotsav), the Rangparva of Gorakhpur has remained special for decades. The reflection of social harmony and egalitarian society is visible in these processions.
As Gorakshpeethadhishwar Yogi Adityanath, even after becoming the Chief Minister, despite all his busy schedules, he participates in the processions. This year too, Chief Minister Yogi is expected to participate in the Holika Dahan procession leaving from Pandeyhata on the evening of March 24 and the colorful procession of Lord Narasimha leaving from Ghantaghar on the morning of March 26.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's participation in the events of Gorakshpeethadhishwar Rangparv is part of spreading the message underlying the core of Gorakshpeeth. Holi, the festival of joy and happiness symbolized by colors, is a part of the social harmony campaign of Gorakshpeeth. Among the specialties of this bench, there has been constant mention of untouchability, caste discrimination and bridging the gap between high and low. Public welfare, beyond discrimination in the society, is the core of Nathpanth and the flag of this campaign expanded by Brahmalin Mahant Digvijaynath, Brahmalin Mahant Avedyanath is being hoisted by the present Gorakshpeethadhishwar, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. The Gorakshpeeth-led Rangotsav is unique in its aim to convey a social message.
Gorakshpeethadhishwar has been participating in Holikotsav (Lord Narasimha procession) for decades to share the love of social harmony. Yogi, who led the procession from 1996 to 12019, did not participate in the Holikotsav of the years 2020 and 2021 to protect people from corona infection. After making the entire world famous for successful Corona management and completely controlling this global pandemic, Chief Minister Yogi started participating in the Holika Dahan procession originating from Pandeyhata and the Lord Narasimha Holikotsav procession originating from Ghantaghar from 2022.
Nanaji Deshmukh had started the Rangotsav procession.
Lord Narasimha Rangotsav procession in Gorakhpur was started by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh preacher Nanaji Deshmukh during his stay in Gorakhpur in 1944. The tradition of celebrating Holi with the ashes of Holika Dahan in Gorakhnath temple was continuing long before this. This campaign of Nanaji was to eliminate vulgarity on the occasion of Holi. On the request of Nanaji, this procession also got deeply connected with Gorakshpeeth. On the instructions of Brahmalin Mahant Digvijaynath, Mahant Avedyanath started representing the Peeth in the procession and it became an integral part of the Holi of Gorakshpeeth. Since 1996, under his leadership, Yogi Adityanath made it a special festival of social harmony not only in Gorakhpur but in the entire eastern Uttar Pradesh. Now its fame is like Holi of Mathura-Vrindavan and people wait for the Lord Narasimha procession led by Yogi Adityanath. The path planning in the procession covering a distance of more than five kilometers is done by the workers of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Gorakshpeethadhishwar, riding on the chariot of Lord Narasimha, drenched in colors, exchanges good wishes with everyone without any discrimination.
Holi begins in Gorakhnath temple
Holikotsav starts with Holika Dahan or applying Tilak with the ashes of Sammat in Gorakhnath temple under the leadership of Gorakshpeethadhishwar. There is a special message inherent in this tradition. The idea behind applying Tilak with the ashes of Holika Dahan is to connect the power of devotion with sociality. On the afternoon of Holi, Holi Milan ceremony is also organized in the Gorakhnath temple complex in the presence of Gorakshpeethadhishwar.