Gorakhpur, September 11 (Daily Kiran) : Mahant Avadyanath’s life story challenges the notion that a saint’s identity is defined solely by their temples or spiritual practices. Born in the lap of the Himalayas, he lost his parents at a young age, which significantly influenced his spiritual journey. His travels to various pilgrimage sites, coupled with a transformative encounter with a yogi guru, led him to adopt a new identity at just 23 years old. Over time, he became the head of the Gorakhnath Peeth, a legislative member, and a prominent figure in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement.
As we commemorate his death anniversary on September 12, we remember him not just as a saint or politician, but as a legacy that extends to current leaders like Yogi Adityanath.
Mahant Avadyanath was born on May 28, 1921, in Kandi village, Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand. The early loss of his parents directed him toward spirituality. In his youth, he traveled to sacred sites such as Kailash Mansarovar, Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, deepening his commitment to spiritual practice and renunciation.
In 1940, during a trip to Bengal, he met Mahant Digvijaynath, the then head of Gorakhnath Peeth. This meeting marked a pivotal moment in his life. Two years later, on February 8, 1942, at the young age of 23, he was designated as Digvijaynath’s successor and given the name Avadyanath. Following Digvijaynath’s passing in 1969, Avadyanath became the full head of the Gorakhnath Peeth.
The ideological foundation of Avadyanath’s tradition was rooted in his guru’s teachings. Digvijaynath encouraged ascetics to engage actively in social and public life, a legacy Avadyanath embraced. For him, religion extended beyond rituals; it was a means for social organization and awakening.
Avadyanath also raised his voice against caste discrimination and untouchability. The mass conversion incident in Meenakshipuram, Tamil Nadu, in the 1980s profoundly impacted him, prompting him to advocate for Hindu unity and social harmony. He argued that caste divisions weakened society. Before fully assuming the responsibilities of Gorakhnath Peeth, Avadyanath entered active politics, winning elections to the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly on a Hindu Mahasabha ticket. He served as a legislator in 1962, 1967, 1974, and 1977, later becoming a Member of Parliament from Gorakhpur in 1970, 1989, 1991, and 1996, eventually aligning with the Bharatiya Janata Party.
His political focus centered on Hindutva, social justice, and cultural nationalism. In Purvanchal, his influence transcended religious realms, significantly impacting social and political life. The 1990s were tumultuous for Indian politics, with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement gaining momentum. Avadyanath became a key figure in this movement, chairing the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mukti Yagya Committee in 1984. His challenge was to unite various sects, akharas, and religious leaders under a common cause, a task he undertook diligently, seeking broad religious support for the movement.
His firm resolve was evident during the controversial 1990 kar seva, where he was associated with the worship at the disputed site. Avadyanath’s unyielding stance on constructing the Ram temple established him as a significant religious-political figure on the national stage, and the movement became a pivotal issue reshaping Indian politics.
Beyond politics and activism, Avadyanath emphasized the integration of education, health, and social service with the Gorakhnath Peeth. He served as president of the Maharana Pratap Education Council, focusing on providing resources to the underprivileged in Purvanchal through educational institutions and social initiatives. As editor of the Yogvani monthly magazine, he also promoted ideological writing. His approach illustrated a blend of religious tradition and social service.
A crucial chapter in Mahant Avadyanath’s life was his decision to choose a successor. In 1998, he retired from active politics and named Yogi Adityanath as his successor. That same year, Adityanath was elected to the Lok Sabha from Gorakhpur, becoming the youngest MP in the country. This announcement was seen as a continuation of the Gorakhnath Peeth’s legacy, starting with Digvijaynath, followed by Avadyanath, and now Adityanath. This lineage is vital for understanding the role of Gorakhnath Peeth in Uttar Pradesh’s politics.
After a long spiritual, social, and political journey, Mahant Avadyanath passed away on September 12, 2014, in Gorakhpur. According to the Nath tradition, he was laid to rest in the padmasana pose. His name continues to resonate in discussions surrounding Gorakhnath Peeth, the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, and social harmony.
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