Story behind the The Gorakhnath temple || tindit India ||

Pic credit- Tasveeri yaari

A Hindu temple reflects a synthesis of arts, the ideals of dharma, Believes values and the way of life cherished under Hinduism. It is a link between man, deities, and the Universal soul in a sacred space.

 GORAKHNATH TEMPLE , one of the famous temple of the Nath monastic order group of Nath tradition. At first, the hall was built in 80’s in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh by the late Mahant Avaudyanath, to honour his own guru, Digvijaynath. Gorakhnath was against the system of avatars. This is perhaps the only temple in India whose Priests are not by default Brahmins.

The name Gorakhnath derived from the name of Medieval Saint Gorakhnath. He was an eminent yogi who travelled across India and wrote many books. Nath tradition was established by Matsyendra Nath. The temple made as attribute to him and is contructed at the same place where he used to worship. He with Gorakhnath contrive many YOGA SCHOOLS. This temple is assume as the supreme place for saints. The temple portrays GURU GORAKHNATH’s devotion, meditative contemplation, asceticism and his affection with Yoga.

Gorakhnathji did penance at the famous Shaktipeeth Devipatan on the border of Nepal and India. This temple was demolished many times by Yavanas and Mughals but it was rebuilt each time. Later, sadhus took the responsibilities to protect it. At present, YOGI ADITYANATH is the chief mahant of the Sadhus of theNath across India.

According to Rahul Sankrityayan, life time of Baba Gorakhnath was from 8th century to 13th century. It is popular about the birth of Guru Gorakhnath that once in order of begging Guru Matsyendranath went to a village. When a voice was made for alms in any one house, the house owner made a begging and requested the son as a blessing. Guru Matsyendranath was perfect. Therefore, while accepting the petition of the house owner, she gave a pinch of food and said that after consuming it, she will become a mother in due course. He will have a great son, whose fame will spread all around.

With blessings, Guru Matsyendranath proceeded in his touring order. After twelve years, Guru Matsyendranath returned to the same village. Nothing had changed. The village was like that. The master's order of begging was still in progress. On approaching the house of the house owner who was blessed by the Guru in his previous visit, the Guru remembered the child. They made a sound in the house. The same house owner again presented for alms. The Guru asked about the birth of Gorakhnath.

The housewife remained silent for some time, but there was no solution except to tell the truth. He told everything truthfully with little shame, little hesitation. He said that after getting overwhelmed by you, the women of the nearby neighborhood ridiculed him for believing in such a monk on the way. Coming into his talk, I threw that bhubta in a pit filled with dung nearby.

Guru Matsyendranath was a proven Mahatma. He saw his meditation and immediately went to the dung pit and called the child. On his invitation, a twelve-year-old sharp nose map, a high frontal and an image of charm stood in front of the healthy child Guru. Guru Matsyendranath went away with the child. This child later became known as Guru Gorakhnath. The Guru of Gorakhnath was Matsyendranath (Machindarnath).

Every year, from 14 January for about one month a famous fete is organized in Gorakhnath temple known as “ Khichdi Mela

Photography by Sumit baranwal

It is believed that Guru Gorakshnath was once roaming the Kangra region of Himachal. When they were passing by seeing Jwala Devi Dham, Jwala Devi appeared on seeing them and urged them to accept hospitality in the Dham. There was an offering of alcohol and meat and Gorakshanath was a yogi. But Mother Jwala could not deny the request of Devi.  Mother Jwala Devi told Guru Gorakshanath ji that you should bring food by asking for alms and she is heating the stove and heating the water. The goddess filled the vessel and put it on the stove, which is still burning today, but Gorakshanathji did not return to that place. They arrived here in present-day Gorakhpur. In Treta Yuga, this area was surrounded by forest. Gorakshanath ji liked to meditate in this forested area and he started meditating here. Devotees made a hut for Guru Gorakshanathji. He started filling khichdi in the character of Gorakshanath. This was the date of Makarsankranti. Just since then, Mahakharva of Khichdi is celebrated every year in the Gorakshanath temple. Since then, Khichdi fair is held in Gorakshanath temple.

A large number of people come to see the fair. polenta is donated by the people standing in queue. The winter do not affect the “shradhalus”. They have a lot of love and faith in them for Baba Gorakhnath.

Written by Prachi Baranwal