Gorakhnath Temple Gears Up for Annual Khichdi Mela; CM Adityanath to Offer First Prayers

• Preparations are complete for the annual 'Khichdi Mela' at Gorakhnath temple in Gorakhpur (UP), starting before Makar Sankranti and lasting over a month.
• The fair is a unique blend of religious faith, popular entertainment, and large-scale employment for locals, as stated by Maharana Pratap PG College's principal Pradeep Rao.
• The tradition of offering 'khichdi' to Mahayogi Guru Gorakhnath, linked to Uttarayan, is believed to date back to the Treta Yug, attracting lakhs of devotees from UP, Bihar, and Nepal.
• The main Khichdi festival will be observed on January 15; grains received at the temple are distributed among the needy throughout the year.
• The first offering is made by Gorakshpeethadheeshwar and UP CM Yogi Adityanath, followed by 'khichdi' sent by Nepal's royal family.

Why It Matters: Gorakhnath Temple's annual Khichdi Mela, a blend of faith, culture, and community, begins soon.