CM Yogi Adityanath missed many rituals, but not this one

After a gap of 24 years, Mahant Yogi Adityanath, Pethadheswar (Chief Priest) of Gorakhnath temple and math in Gorakhpur, for the first time missed the most revered Navratri ritual of "Kanya Pujan" on Ram Navmi in his hometown.

In his absence, Yogi Kamal Nath of the Gorakhnath temple solemnised the ritual amidst chanting of mantras at 12.30 pm. He washed feet of girls with gangajal, made them wear chunari and fed them with his hands. Like Yogi, Kamal Nath also gave gifts to girls who participated in the ritual.

"We tried our best to do Kanya Pujan the way Chote Maharaj ji (As Yogi Adityanath is popularly known) used to do. Since 1993, he would make it a point to be available in the temple come what may. But since he now shoulders bigger responsibility, all we can say is that we really missed him, first time in 24 years," said Yogi Kamal Nath after the puja.

Even the girls who participated in the ritual missed the Chief Minister. "He would touch our feet and offer us gifts and cash," said 12-year-old Puja.

However, it seems the Chief Minister did not miss the ritual at all. At his official residence at 5 Kalidas Marg, he performed Kanya Pujan in his usual style. All arrangements were made in advance. Girls were invited from poor families in Lucknow and the Chief Minister washed their feet, fed them food and sweets and offered them gifts and cash.