Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday paid homage to Mahant Avedyanath, the former head priest of Gorakhnath Math, on his 11th death anniversary, recalling his significant contributions to education.
"I pay tribute to Mahant Avedyanath ji Maharaj on his 11th birth anniversary... He dedicated his entire life to religion and the nation. He followed the ideals of Mahant Digvijaynath ji," the UP CM said while addressing a gathering at Gorakhnath temple.
Highlighting Mahant Avedyanath’s role in promoting education, the Chief Minister added, "He dedicated his entire life to religion and the nation. He followed the ideals of Mahant Digvijaynath ji, who, when India was under colonial rule, in 1932 Digvijaynath ji established the Maharana Pratap Shiksa Parishad."
CM Adityanath also reflected on the challenges faced in securing funding for the college. "This tradition was continued, Maharana Pratap college was made, and also women's college. As the country got independence, there was hope of establishing the first university in Gorakhpur but the government said that there is no money," he said.
The Chief Minister further noted how alternative arrangements were made with Mahant Digvijaynath donating temple-linked property for the construction of the college. "The proposal was that whichever area was able to give the most property, the university will be built there. Then Mahant Digvijaynath came forward and gave two institutes joined with the temple," he added.
According to the UP CM, Mahant Digvijaynath laid the foundation for education in Gorakhpur by establishing the Maharana Pratap Shiksha Parishad in 1932, which manages educational institutions from primary to higher education. Currently, the Parishad enrolls over 25,000 students across more than two dozen institutions.
Mahant Avedyanath, who also served as CM Yogi Adityanath’s mentor, worked to expand the council’s reach. He passed away on September 12, 2014. A member of the Hindu Mahasabha and later the Bharatiya Janata Party, Mahant Avedyanath represented the Gorakhpur constituency multiple times between 1970-71 and 1989-1998, and was actively involved in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement.