New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath is set to inaugurate ‘Makar Sankranti’ mela on the premises of Gorakhnath temple in Gorakhpur on Thursday.

CM Yogi will follow old tradition by offering the first khichdi to the Gorakhnath temple on January 14. Although the Khichdi fair is to begin on January 14, the process of reaching Khichdi has started.

On January 2, CM Yogi visited the Gorakhnath temple, inspected the Khichdi Mela Ground and made a fervent appeal to the devotees to make the temple premises plastic free. He urged devotees to bring the khichdi in a cloth or paper bag and not to use polythene bags.

Following his request, devotees who are carrying khichdi from village to village are seen in the temple premises adhering to the eco-friendly request made by the chief minister.

This appeal of the Chief Minister was made to protect the environment and prevent the use of prohibited polythene.

Gorakhpur Municipal Corporation has declared the adjoining area of the temple complex as a polythene free zone. Along with this, campaign has begun to stop the use of plastic bags in the temple premises.

Khadi, Municipal Corporations support plastic-free campaign

Gorakhpur Municipal Corporation has also put up posters, banners in place like temples and mail premises, writing slogans. Despite this, if someone brings khichdi in polythene, then arrangements have been made to replace it. Many departments and institutions like the Khadi Department, Municipal Corporation, Prison Department, Indian Medical Association and others are helping in preparing and distribution of such bags.

These bags are then being provided to the devotees of the concerned department, institution, temple volunteers or other organisations who have brought khichdi in polythene to offer to the Guru. Overall, Gorakhnath Temple in Gorakhpur is a completely plastic bag free zone.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s love for the environment is well known. The use of polythene in the temple premises has been prohibited since long. After becoming the Chief Minister, he also ensured that it was stopped. They also discuss the side effects of polythene on cattle, environment and rivers.

During his tenure, a record number of plantations have been done during the Van Mahotsav, which is held every year from World Environment Day (5 June), which is a proof of his love for the environment.

About Khichdi Fair

Khichdi fair, which lasts for a month from the day of Makar Sankranti in the temple premises, is the main event here. During this time, lakhs of people from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Nepal and other places go there to offer khichdi to Guru Gorakshanath. As the Peethadhishwar, the first khichdi is offered by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

After this, the khichdi sent by the King of Nepal is offered. After this, the turn is of the common people. This tradition of offering khichdi to Baba Gorakshnath is centuries old.

Makar Sankranti, best period in Hindu tradition

Makar Sankranti is considered the best period in Hindu tradition. From this day, the Sun enters Uttarayan from Dakshinayan and all the 12 zodiac signs sign Sagittarius from Capricorn.

In Hindu tradition, it is considered as the best period for the beginning of all auspicious actions. Even Bhishma Pitamah waited for this time to give up his mortal coil. Before the auspicious work, the mind and boy are cleansed by bathing, followed by charity.