UP CM Yogi Adityanath shifts to govt bungalow after 'purification' by Gorakhpur priests

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday formally shifted to the sprawling government bungalow allotted to him after completion of the purifying rituals conducted by some priests from Gorakhpur.

Hindu seers and priests had earlier made elaborate arrangements and conducted a 'yajna' and sacred purifying rituals at the sprawling chief minister's bungalow which will now be the home for the saint-politician and hardline Hindutva mascot Yogi Adityanath.      

The five-time MP from Gorakhpur, who was sworn in as the 21st chief minister of Uttar Pradesh recently, has been staying at the VVIP Guest House and decided not to enter the bungalow without conducting prayers and purification rituals like 'Yagna'.      

As per reports, seven priests from Gorakhpur and Allahabad were called in to conduct the purifying rituals at the chief minister's official residence. However, Adityanath, 44 , was not present during the prayers.     

Yogi Adityanath had reportedly decided to enter the bungalow only at an auspicious time - Navratras.     

'Aditya Nath Yogi, Chief Minister' says the new nameplate in Hindi outside the 5, Kalidas road bungalow, which was occupied by Akhilesh Yadav for five years before his Samajwadi Party was trounced by the "saffron tsunami" in the state Assembly elections. 

Akhilesh's father Mulayam Singh Yadav, now SP patron, and BSP supremo Mayawati were among the earlier occupants.     

At the main gate, a 'swastika' sign above the chief minister's name plate has been put up by dipping marigold flower in sandal and haldi paste. The 'swastika' symbol is considered lucky and auspicious and has special significance in "grih pravesh" (house warming) as per the Hindu traditions.     

The priest then wrote "Om" and "Shub Laabh" on the imposing gates of the bungalow.     

"This is a usual ritual worship of Lakshmi-Ganesh before 'grih pravesh'," said one of the priests.     

The gates freshly painted in white were decorated with marigold garlands, while the lush green lawns inside the compound embroidered by beds of season flowers in their full bloom, were being given final touches for the new occupant.      

Inside the bungalow, the priests made elaborate preparations for "yagna", rituals done in front of sacred fire amid chanting of vedic mantras to purify the place and ward off evil spirits, for the "mahant" of Gorakhnath Mutt.

With PTI inputs