last rites of former BJP MP Mahant Avaidyanath, would be performed as per the rituals at the Gorakhnath temple premises on Sunday. Most of the senior leaders of almost all the political parties particularly Bharatiya Janta Party, are likely to attend the funeral.
According to temple sources, the Mahant would be given ‘Samadhi’ with full religious ritual. Before the samadhi, Gorakhpur MP and successor of the Mahant Yogi Adityanath would be accorded the post of Mahant of the Gorakash peth. ‘Avaidyanath’s body would be placed in the temple for public to pay tributes and then he will be buried on the temple campus according to the rituals of Sant Samaj in the noon on Sunday,’ Yogi Adityanath, successor of the Mahant disclosed at Gorakhpur on Saturday.
Meanwhile people have thronged the temple to pay their last respect to the Mahant and a serpentine queue for couple of kilometers were witnessed. People from far flung area including Bihar and Nepal were also reaching Gorakhnath temple to pay their tribute.
Meanwhile Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and senior BJP leader lal Krishna Advani has rushed to Gorakhpur for paying their tributes to the departed Mahant. Several Union ministers and state governors could also dash to Gorakhpur for paying their last respect and attend the last rites on Sunday. Several religious leaders and pethadheshwars including Swami Chinamayanand have started reaching Gorakhpur to attend the last rites.
Mahant Avaidyanath died on Friday night at the Gorakhnath temple hospital after a prolonged illness. Shree Ram Janambhoomi Nyas chairman Mahant Nritya Gopal Das has also expressed his deep condolence on the demise of the Mahant and said that it was a great loss to the country. ‘’His dedication towards the poor and needy would be remembered for ever,’’ he claimed. Mahant of the Digamber Akhara Suresh Das said that the Mahant was the guardian of the Ram Janambhoomi movement and his death would be felt. Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav too expressed his grief over the demise of the Mahant and said that he has lost a good friend. State Governor Ram Naik, and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav,Also expressed profound grief over the demise of former MP Mahant Avaidyanath.
In his condolence message, the Governor termed Mahant Avaidyanath as an old friend who had worked with him in the lok Sabha. His contribution in development of Gorakhpur and efforts to preserve Indian culture will be remembered always, the Governor said.Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav also prayed for peace for the departed soul and extended his heart-felt sympathies to his followers.
Meanwhile BJP has cancelled the two-day training camp of party workers of Gorakhpur region that was scheduled to begin in Kushi Nagar from Saturdya. All school and colleges remained closed on Saturday in mark of respect for Mahant.