Yogi Adityanath offers sacred khichdi at Gorakhnath temple on Makar Sankranti

New Delhi: On Makar Sankranti, UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath, who is also Gorakshpeethadhishwar, offered the sacred Khichdi to Mahayogi Guru Gorakhnath at the Gorakhnath Temple at 4 AM on Thursday, during the sacred Brahma Muhurta, in accordance with the revered traditions of the Nath sect.

He prayed to the divine Mahayogi for the welfare of the people and for the happiness and prosperity of all citizens.

“After the ritual offering, CM Yogi Adityanath extended his heartfelt greetings and best wishes to all citizens, saints, and devotees on Makar Sankranti,” a press release, issued by the UP’ public information department said.


CM Yogi told media persons that lakhs of devotees across the state have been visiting major pilgrimage sites since Wednesday to express their faith. In Gorakhpur, a massive gathering of devotees offered Khichdi to Mahayogi Guru Gorakhnath, while in Prayagraj, devotees took the holy dip at the Sangam. He mentioned that the tradition continues with equal devotion on Thursday as well.

“On Thursday, too, lakhs of devotees stood in long queues at the Gorakhnath Temple to offer Khichdi to Baba Gorakhnath,” CM Yogi said in the release.

Calling it his good fortune, he said, “I was blessed with the opportunity to offer the sacred Khichdi after the special early-morning puja.” He added that the Gorakhnath Temple witnessed an overwhelming presence of devotees.

Highlighting the spiritual and cultural significance of Makar Sankranti, CM Yogi said, “The festival holds a special place in India’s age-old traditions.”

He described the Sun God as the soul of the universe and said that the festival dedicated to the worship of Surya marks an auspicious beginning for all sacred and propitious activities. With Makar Sankranti, he said, the period of auspicious ceremonies resumes in the Sanatan Dharma tradition.

Explaining its astronomical importance, the Chief Minister said, “Sankranti marks the transition of the Sun from one zodiac sign to another. When the Sun moves from Sagittarius to Capricorn, it is known as Makar Sankranti. This transition also marks the beginning of Uttarayan, the Sun’s northward journey, during which days grow longer and nights shorter.”