Navratri Maha Ashtami rituals conclude with a havan at the Shaktipeeth of Gorakhnath Temple
Ritual continues for over two hours
Gorakhpur, October 2026 : On the auspicious occasion of Maha Ashtami during Sharadiya Navratri, Gorakshpeethadhishwar and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath performed the Mahanisha Puja and havan on Sunday night in accordance with the Gorakshpeeth's distinctive traditions, amid the chanting of Vedic mantras and following prescribed rituals.
Before commencing the Mahanisha Puja, he worshipped Maa Mahagauri, the eighth manifestation of Jagat Janani Maa Adishakti. During the ritual, which lasted over two hours, the Chief Minister prayed for the happiness and prosperity of the people of Uttar Pradesh and the welfare of all creation.
Upon arriving in Gorakhpur on Sunday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath proceeded directly to Gorakhnath Temple. Following tradition, he first visited the main shrine of Shivavatar Baba Gorakhnath and offered prayers in accordance with prescribed rituals. He then bowed at the samadhi of his revered guru, Mahant Avaidyanath, and sought his blessings. From late evening until night, he remained immersed in the Mahanisha Puja.
The Mahanisha Puja at the Shaktipeeth of Gorakhnath Temple commenced under the leadership of the Gorakshpeethadhishwar. As he entered the sanctum, the Shaktipeeth reverberated with Vedic chants and devotional chants in praise of Maa Bhagwati. During the ritual, which lasted over two hours, the Gorakshpeethadhishwar worshipped Gauri and Ganesha, Varuna, the Peeth and the Yantra, followed by the prescribed worship of Maa Durga.
He also performed Shodashopachara Puja of Lord Ram, Mata Sita and Lakshman Ji, worshipped Lord Krishna and Gau Mata, and performed Navgraha Puja, Bilva Puja, worshipped the presiding deities and weapons, and the twelve Jyotirlingas, Ardhanarishwar, Shiva-Shakti, Batuk Bhairav, Kaal Bhairav and Trishul Parvat.
He also invoked and worshipped Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, Rudra and Agni Dev at the havan. Cutting the barley shoots that had sprouted on the altar installed at the Shaktipeeth, he prayed to Adishakti Maa Durga for a happy and prosperous life for all citizens.
The Gorakshpeethadhishwar concluded the Mahanisha Puja with a havan. The entire ritual was performed with recitations from the Shri Durga Saptashati and Vedic mantras.
It concluded with the aarti and a prayer for forgiveness, followed by the distribution of prasad. A large number of devotees were also present at Gorakhnath Temple on the occasion.
