Traditional procession led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath witnesses floral welcomes from people across communities, celebrating the historic traditions of Vijayadashami
Gorakhpur, October 2026 : The traditional Vijayadashami procession of Gorakshpeethadhishwar was taken out on Tuesday evening amid religious fervour and devotion, marking the festival that celebrates the victory of truth, justice and righteousness. The grand procession, led by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Gorakshpeethadhishwar Yogi Adityanath, was welcomed with showers of flowers along the route from Gorakhnath Temple to the Mansarovar Ramlila Ground, spreading a message of social harmony.
Members of minority communities also accorded a warm welcome to the procession. People from different sections of society greeted Yogi Adityanath, who was seated on a flower-decorated chariot in traditional attire. He acknowledged the greetings, blessed those gathered and distributed prasad from the nine-day Sharadiya Navratri rituals performed at the Gorakhnath Temple.
The historic Vijayadashami tradition of Gorakhpur came alive once again, beginning with the worship of Lord Gorakhnath, revered as an incarnation of Lord Shiva, and culminating in the coronation of Lord Ram.
One of the distinctive traditions of the Gorakshpeeth, a renowned centre of the Nath sect, the procession began at around 4.30 pm. After offering prayers to Mahayogi Guru Gorakhnath and seeking his blessings, Yogi Adityanath mounted the chariot to lead the procession.
Elaborate security arrangements were made for the occasion. The procession moved forward amid the sounds of traditional Nath sect instruments, including the nagfani, turhi, drums and damru, accompanied by bands and impressive performances by young members of the Hanuman Dal. Devotees lined both sides of the route, eager to catch a glimpse of the Gorakshpeethadhishwar.
Minority communities welcome procession
As the procession moved out of the temple, members of the Muslim and weaver communities welcomed it with flower showers. Chaudhary Kaifulwara, former chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Urdu Academy, felicitated Yogi Adityanath with a garland. The Chief Minister warmly acknowledged the gesture and presented him and other members of the community with prasad from the temple’s Navratri rituals.
Members of the minority community touched the prasad to their foreheads as a mark of respect and gratitude. Kaifulwara said his family had been welcoming the procession for generations, adding that the Gorakshpeeth viewed people as human beings beyond distinctions of religion and faith.
Subsequently, dozens of weavers, under the banner of the Weaver Welfare Society, also welcomed the Chief Minister. Those present included Uttar Pradesh Haj Committee member Junaid Ahmad Ansari and Azizul Hai. Muslim women and children watched from nearby homes and captured photographs of Yogi Adityanath on their mobile phones.
The procession received another floral welcome near the Shri Jhulelal Temple, where members of the Sindhi community had gathered in large numbers. Similar greetings continued along the route to the Mansarovar Temple.
Prayers at Mansarovar Temple, Lord Ram’s coronation
Accompanied by chants of “Jai Shri Ram” and traditional music, the procession reached the Mansarovar Temple, associated with the Gorakshpeeth. Yogi Adityanath offered prayers to Lord Shiva and other deities amid the chanting of Vedic hymns and performed the abhishek of Mahadev.
After the temple rituals, the Chief Minister paid floral tribute to the statue of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, outside the Ramlila Ground.
The procession then reached the Mansarovar Ramlila Ground, where Yogi Adityanath was welcomed with flower showers. He performed the ceremonial coronation of Lord Ram during the ongoing Ramlila and offered prayers and aarti to Lord Ram, Mata Janaki, Lakshman and Lord Hanuman.
Folk performances showcase Uttar Pradesh’s cultural heritage
Ten groups of folk artists welcomed the procession at different locations, presenting traditional art forms from across Uttar Pradesh.
The performances included conch-shell playing and badhawa dance by groups from Ayodhya, pai danda from Banda, folk dance by a Gorakhpur troupe, performances by artists from Sonbhadra, and peacock dance by a Mathura group. Other presentations included faruwahi, dedhiya, raas and tribal dances by artists from Gorakhpur and Prayagraj.
The cultural performances brought the region’s folk traditions to life, adding colour and vibrancy to the Vijayadashami procession and highlighting the festival’s religious and cultural significance.
