Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s relationship with Gorakshpeeth and Gorakhpur was not formal, but based on reverence, trust and emotional connection. He put human relationships above protocol and that’s what made him great.
Lucknow. Remembering Bharat Ratna former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is not just remembering a Prime Minister. This is to remember the personality who gave importance to sensitivity before power and human relationships before politics. His life was an example of values, dialogue and balance.
Atal ji’s close relationship with Shri Gorakshpeeth
Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s association with Shri Gorakshpeeth was not formal, but based on trust, reverence and shared ideological consciousness. Gorakhnath Temple and Gorakshpeeth were not just religious places for him, but symbols of Indian tradition, culture and spiritual consciousness. This relationship deepened with time.
Reverence Above Protocol: The Memorable Incident of March 22, 2004
The day of 22 March 2004 clearly shows the depth of this relationship. Atal ji had addressed a public meeting in Maharajganj during the Lok Sabha election campaign. After the program he had to return to Delhi and the program in Gorakhpur was limited to the airport only.
But as soon as he reached Gorakhpur, he suddenly expressed his desire to go to Gorakhnath temple. This was not a pre-determined program, but a feeling that came from his mind. The administration and security agencies were uneasy about the protocol, but Atal ji said in a calm and firm voice that he would definitely meet Mahant Avedyanath.
Atal ji reached the temple on a wheelchair
At that time Atal Bihari Vajpayee was having severe pain in his knee. Despite this, he got down from the vehicle and reached the Gorakhnath temple complex with the help of a wheelchair. He first worshiped Guru Gorakshanath and then met Gorakshpeethadhishwar Mahant Avedyanath and took his blessings. According to people associated with the temple, the conversation between the two that day was not merely formal. There was a serious and thoughtful discussion on national and social issues including the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi movement.
Atal ji’s respect towards Mahant Avedyanath
Atal ji had deep respect for Mahant Avedyanath. Atal ji considered his leading role in the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi movement and his contribution as the chairman of the Janmabhoomi Yagya Committee as an example of struggle, patience and ideological determination. This respect was not just about political agreement, but about the sharing of ideas and values. For this reason, their relationship became stronger with time.
Political era of 1989 and unbroken relationship
In the year 1989, due to the alliance of Janata Dal and BJP, Gorakhpur parliamentary seat went to the account of Janata Dal. On the request of Sant Samaj, Mahant Avedyanath decided to contest the elections. At that time the BJP leadership made it clear that it would not be able to cooperate openly.
Despite this, Mahant Avedyanath contested the elections and reached Parliament after winning with a huge majority. This political situation had no effect on the relations between Atal ji and Mahant Avedyanath. Despite differences, respect and communication remained.
Atal ji’s family connection with Gorakhpur
Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s relationship with Gorakhpur was not only spiritual or ideological, but was also linked to deep family sentiments. In the year 1940, he came to Gorakhpur for the first time as a maid in his elder brother’s wedding procession. At that time no one had imagined that this child would one day become the Prime Minister of the country. Since Gorakhpur was his brother’s in-laws house, this city always remained like home for him. Gorakhpur held a special place for him at every stage of his life.
Emotional connection remained even after becoming Prime Minister
After becoming Prime Minister, protocol limited his personal visits, but the emotional bond never diminished. Atal ji himself had said in a public meeting in Gorakhpur in 1998 that he has a special relationship with this city, because his in-laws live here and he has a close relationship with the people here.
A shared journey of faith, thought and belief
The relationship between Shri Gorakshpeeth and Atal Bihari Vajpayee was not a formal dialogue between the power and the saint. It was a shared journey of faith, thought and belief. When the country remembers Atal ji on his birth anniversary, Gorakhpur and Gorakshpeeth remember him as the leader who gave importance to reverence before protocol and relationships before politics.