Gorakhnath Temple

Sthala Puran

The Gorakhnath Temple in Gorakhpur is named after the Guru Gorakhnath who learned his lessons in austerities from Matsyendranath, the founder of Nath Sampradaya (monastic group). Together with his disciple Gorakhnath, Guru Matsyendranath founded the school of Hatha Yoga, one of the schools most well-known and practiced schools of Yoga.One of the popular legend associated with this temple and Guru Gorakhnath is that devotees chanting Gorakhnath Chalisa 12 times are blessed with the Divya Jyoti or the miraculous flame.In the records of the temple, it is revealed that the Gorakhpur Gorakhnath Temple's structure and shape were transformed over the period time. In fact, many attempts were made to destroy this temple during the rule of the Sultanate and Mughal era. First, it was the Alaudin Khilji who destroyed the Gorakhnath temple in the 14th century, and later it was destroyed by yet another devout Islamic ruler of India Aurangzeb in the 18th century.Even though the structure was destroyed twice, the place still holds its sanctity, its significance, and its pious aura. The form and shape in which this temple is seen today is said to have been conceptualized by late Mahant Digvijaynath and the current Mahant Avedyanathji in the second half of the 19th century.

Architecture

The temple grounds reach across 52 acres of land in the heart of Gorakhpur. Within the temple are various hallways and rooms celebrating a variety of deities. First is Gorakhnath's personal chambersamadhi. The room once housed a statue of him but has since been replaced with footprints.u00a0It also holds his prayer seat where he held his seated pose once he returned from his travels. Leading out of the chamber is a gallery of statues includingSiva,Ganesh,KaliandBhairav.Another room contains the nine Naths found in statue form accompanied with other statues. When exiting the gallery surrounding Gorakhnath temple, there are other rooms and portraits allocated for other Hindu deities. Not only is the seat of Gorakhnath a defining feature of the temple, the eternal flame (Divya Joyti) is also held in the temple. It is said to have been burning since the time of Gorakhnath himself. Gorakhnath also known as passionate in raising and serving cows. The temple maintains a cow shedGoshalaon the premises as one of the many references to the life of Gorakhnath and the goals of maintaining the sacrality of the animal. Away from the main temple, the residential spaces for current practicing ascetics can be found. Gorakhnath Math is a large pilgrimage center as well. All of these spaces within the temple grounds bring thousands of devotees as well as tourists.

Prayers and Benefits

Festivals

Social Activities