The elaborate ritual, which lasted over two hours, included prayers for the prosperity and well-being of the people of the state and the welfare of all living beings. Gorakhpur : Chief minister Yogi Adityanath performed the Mahanisha puja and havan at the Shaktipeeth inside Gorakhnath temple on Sunday night, following the traditional rituals of the Gorakshpeeth on Maha Ashtami , the eighth day of Sharadiya Navratri.
He then paid obeisance at the samadhi of his spiritual guru, Mahant Avaidyanath. During the havan, the chief minister invoked and worshipped Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra and Agni. He also cut the barley shoots growing on the altar at the Shaktipeeth and prayed to Goddess Durga for a peaceful and prosperous life for all citizens.
After arriving in Gorakhpur on Sunday, the chief minister went straight to Gorakhnath temple, where he first offered prayers at the main shrine of Baba Gorakhnath.