Dawn had barely broken when Gorakhpur’s Gorakhnath Temple became ground zero for a massive faith rally. Ahead of the Khichdi festival, devotees created history with endless lines, turning approach roads into rivers of saffron and white.
Rooted in the Nath sampradaya, the festival celebrates simplicity through khichdi bhog, a practice said to have originated from Gorakhnath’s own kitchen. Pilgrims narrated personal tales of Baba’s benevolence, from job miracles to family reunions, drawing even more crowds.
By mid-morning, the temple complex was packed. Rushed aartis, flower showers, and rudraksha malas flew off stalls. Youth volunteers, trained by the temple trust, managed water stations and lost-and-found efficiently.
Government support was evident: UP tourism promoted live streams, while local markets thrived on puja items. Traffic diversions prevented snarls, and CCTV enhanced vigilance.
The real magic unfolds during the festival proper, with 24-hour akhand kirtan and mega langars. Khichdi cooked in earthen pots over wood fires is deemed doubly potent. Astrologers predict heightened blessings this year due to planetary alignments.
This phenomenon transcends religion, fostering unity in diversity. As families depart with prasad packets, they carry renewed hope. Gorakhnath’s magnetic aura ensures the Khichdi festival remains a cornerstone of Indian devotional culture.