The saints of Ayodhya believe that UP Chief Minister and Gorakhpeethadhishwar Mahant Yogi Adityanath is fulfilling the dream of his predecessors at Gorakshpeeth in Gorakhpur of construction of a grand Ram temple at Ayodhya.

Stating that the chief minister is fortunate enough to have the responsibility of Ram temple construction, they said Mahant Digvijaynath was one of the pioneers of the movement to build the temple while Mahant Avaidyanath united Hindus and Mahant Yogi Adityanath kept visiting Ayodhya regularly to discuss the temple even before becoming the chief minister. Later, when he became the chief minister, he started working towards realising the dream of his gurus, they said.

Raju Das, Siddhapeeth Hanuman Garhi, Ayodhya said here on Thursday that the credit for taking Ayodhya towards ‘navyata, divyata, bhavyata’ (newness, divinity, grandeur) goes to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. “There was a time when Yogi Ji used to come four to five times a year to discuss with saints how the temple could be constructed. Now, as the chief minister, he visits five to six times a month to take stock of the temple construction and to expedite development projects,” he added.

He further said that while Digvijaynath Ji Maharaj pioneered the movement for the temple by awakening the masses, Avaidyanath Ji Maharaj fostered the spirit of dedication and service among saints. “The dedication of Digvijaynath Ji was followed by the sacrifice, austerity, and struggle of Avaidyanath Ji,” he pointed out.

“They worked to end discrimination against the oppressed and the downtrodden organising community feasts to unite Hindus. Not just temple construction, Mahant Digvijaynath, Mahant Avaidyanath, and Mahant Yogi Adityanath have consistently worked to awaken the spirit of independence in people over the years,” Das added.

He mentioned that they contemplated on how to connect Ayodhya with development and tourism. The international airport named after Sage Valmiki, Ayodhya Dham railway station, and the overall development plan have started taking shape. He said leaders used to run away from Ayodhya, but Yogi Adityanath’s visit to Ayodhya on the fourth day of becoming the chief minister and going to Ram Janmabhoomi after having darshan of Hanumangarhi was unimaginable for any leader.

Das further said, “When Lord Shri Ram was in a tent, Yogi Adityanath took him to an alternative temple, showing a visible representation of the foundation of cultural freedom. Maintaining Ayodhya’s development in line with its cultural identity is a matter of pride. Earlier, bullets were fired on those who chanted ‘Jai Shri Ram’, but Yogi Adityanath now discusses it in cabinet meetings.”

Jagadguru Ram Dineshcharya Maharaj, Haridham Gopal Temple, Ramghat, mentioned that after a long struggle of 500 years, Lord Shri Ram is now going to reside in his divine and grand temple. “Historically, Gorakshpeeth has played an important role in temple construction. Whether it was the cow protection movement or the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, the previous Acharyas of Gorakshpeeth actively participated in it”, he pointed out.

“Mahant Digvijaynath ji Maharaj or Mahant Avaidyanath ji Maharaj always took bold stands. The credit for fulfilling the dreams of the previous Acharyas goes to Mahant Yogi Adityanath. The entire world is now looking towards Ayodhya and the Ram temple. Whenever the foundation and struggles are recalled, we will remember the previous Acharyas of Gorakshpeeth,” he added.

The Jagadguru further said it is also becoming a historic moment that CM Yogi Adityanath, as a continuation of that tradition, will witness the consecration ceremony of the divine and magnificent temple of Lord Shri Ram.