On Guru Purnima, CM Yogi Adityanath to embody both disciple and guru

Gorakhpur : Guru Purnima, the sacred festival that epitomises the revered Guru-disciple tradition in Sanatan culture, holds special significance for Goraksha Peeth. It is on this auspicious day that the Goraksha Peethadhishwar pays homage to the spiritual lineage of the Peeth, including the Adiguru Mahayogi Gorakhnath of the Nath sect, and showers blessings upon his disciples and devotees. Upholding this profound tradition, the present Peethadhishwar and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, will once again assume the dual roles of disciple and guru on this year’s Guru Purnima, observed on Thursday, July 10.

While the divine echoes of faith and spirituality resonate daily within the Gorakhnath temple, Guru Purnima stands out as a special occasion of exceptional spiritual significance. The devotees of Gorakshapeeth eagerly await this day, which is deeply rooted in the core philosophy of Nathpanth, where the Guru is the guiding force.

The inseparable bond between Gorakshapeeth and Guru Purnima is a reflection of this tradition. The Nath sect itself has evolved from the Guru tradition, making Gorakshapeeth a global symbol of the Guru lineage. By upholding this tradition through every era, Peeth has continuously walked the path of public welfare. Beginning with Lord Gorakhnath, regarded as an incarnation of Lord Shiva, who propagated yoga as a tool for the public good, this mission has been carried forward by the Nath sages who followed him.

In Sanatan dharma, the Guru is revered even above God. A Guru’s ultimate goal is the holistic welfare of society, a vision that is passed on to disciples through initiation and service. Viewed through this lens, the globally renowned Gorakshapeeth stands unparalleled. Each successive generation of Peethadhishwars has expanded the scope of public service entrusted to them by their Gurus, and the current Peethadhishwar, Yogi Adityanath, has elevated this legacy to new heights.

Over the past three generations, Gorakshapeeth has consistently set benchmarks in public service. Brahmalin Mahant Digvijaynath Maharaj, who laid the foundation for the temple’s modern structure, established the Maharana Pratap Shiksha Parishad in 1932 to promote education as a means of societal uplift. With extraordinary vision, he also donated to two colleges for the establishment of Gorakhpur University and set up an Ayurvedic medical centre within the temple premises to provide affordable healthcare. These noble initiatives were further expanded by his disciple, Brahmalin Mahant Avedyanath Maharaj.

Continuing this legacy, Yogi Adityanath—a disciple of Mahant Avedyanath Maharaj and current Gorakshapeethadhishwar—has transformed the seeds of education, healthcare, yoga, and service into a flourishing banyan tree of public welfare. What began in a humble rented room has now grown into a vast educational network, including a university. The Guru Shri Gorakshanath Hospital, run by the Peeth, is a renowned center of healing in Purvanchal. The dissemination of yoga has also gained significant momentum through Gorakshapeeth. As Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath exemplifies the Guru tradition’s vision of collective welfare through governance and action.

The deep, unbreakable bond between Guru Purnima and the Nathpanth is clearly reflected in the grand ceremonies held at the Gorakhnath temple. From Mahayogi Guru Gorakhnath to the present-day Yogi Adityanath, every Gorakshapeethadhishwar has preserved the sanctity of this tradition with unwavering devotion. They have not only enriched the Guru’s legacy, but also inspired countless others to honour and uphold the ideals of Guru Pratishtha.

Despite the immense responsibilities of his constitutional office, Yogi Adityanath consistently observes this sacred tradition. Each year, he visits the Gorakhnath temple on Guru Purnima to seek blessings from his Guru and to bless his followers. This year, too, he will participate in the Guru Purnima rituals at the temple on Thursday, reaffirming the living tradition of devotion, service, and spiritual continuity.

Since its inception, the Nath sect has been intrinsically rooted in the Guru-disciple tradition. It is this sacred bond that continues to sustain and propel the Nath tradition forward. In Nath philosophy, there is no distinction between the Guru and God — the Guru is regarded as God, and God is seen in the form of the Guru. This is why the festival of Guru Purnima holds exceptional significance at the Gorakhnath temple.

On the auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima (Thursday), Goraksha Peethadhishwar and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will perform a special worship ceremony in honour of the great Mahayogi Guru Gorakhnath, the divine incarnation of Lord Shiva. As per tradition, a symbolic offering will also be made to Guru Gorakhnath. Following the rituals, Yogi Adityanath will bless his disciples and devotees, reinforcing the enduring spiritual legacy of the Peeth. This day will also mark the conclusion of the Shri Ram Katha that has been ongoing at the Gorakhnath temple since July 4.

The day’s spiritual proceedings will begin early in the morning with an elaborate Guru Pujan ceremony. The Goraksha Peethadhishwar will offer prayers to Guru Gorakshanath with full Vedic rituals and devotion, including the traditional offerings. Subsequently, special worship will be held at the samadhi sthal of Nath sect yogis and various temples dedicated to deities within the premises. The worship will culminate in a collective aarti.

After completing the rituals, Yogi Adityanath will meet his disciples, who will individually offer a tilak and receive his blessings. The day’s observances will conclude with a grand community feast organized at the temple, symbolizing unity, devotion, and the continuation of the Guru-shishya tradition that lies at the heart of the Nath sect.