Devotees offering Khichdi to Baba Gorakhnath on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. Abhinav Rajan Chaturvedi
Dr. Rakesh Rai, Gorakhpur. The road leading from Dharamshala to Gorakhnath temple has become a stream of faith. The crowd of devotees is moving rapidly towards the temple. There is joy among children, enthusiasm among youth and confidence among women to reach Baba's courtyard. At short intervals, cutouts of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath seem to be welcoming the devotees.
They are assured to satisfy their faith. While moving towards the temple, there is a hunger to offer khichdi at the feet of Baba. There is an echo of reverence on the tongue through cheers. By the time we reached Gorakhnath bridge, the feeling of reverence and dedication started deepening. At once one starts feeling the atmosphere of Kumbh in Prayagraj. As soon as they enter the temple premises, the faith in faith is clearly visible in the glow on the faces of the devotees.
As soon as the devotees step inside the entrance of the temple, it is as if a different world is created for the devotees. There is not just a crowd here, there are waves of emotions. Somewhere there were cheerful children, somewhere there were sounds coming from the lost and found camp, somewhere there was bargaining at the shops and somewhere there were quiet queues for Prasad.
Somewhere there was the scream of Raemanch coming from the swing and somewhere there was the sound of balloons bursting after hitting the target. All this together was creating such a scene, which was not only visible to the eyes but was also present in the heart and mind. Seeing this the devotees are moving forward. After offering Khichdi, they are planning to enjoy the fair.
As the main premises of the temple arrive, the fair is planned and faith once again comes into force. Devotees are moving in a queue towards the sanctum sanctorum with the khichdi of faith in the sign of reverence. After the completion of the offering ritual, they are heading towards the fair with faces glowing with success.
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Some consider the ritual complete after receiving Khichdi Prasad in the temple's Bhandara. During this time, the devotee who gets the darshan of Gorakshpeethadhishwar Yogi Adityanath while travelling, considers himself blessed. Seals the completeness of the pilgrimage. Devotees return home with cherished memories and thank God for completing their ritualistic plans.
This scene was seen not only for two-four hours, but from early morning till late evening on Wednesday. After offering Khichdi and enjoying the fair, the faith and belief of the devotees towards Guru Gorakshanath and Nath Peeth deepened.