The short answer
Gorakhnath Temple: what visitors should know first
Yes, if you have any interest in how Gorakhpur works. It is a large, active temple complex, not a museum. Go for the evening aarti or a calm morning, dress modestly, expect security checks at the gate and allow about an hour and a half.
History and context
The story behind Gorakhnath Temple
Gorakshanath, usually placed around the 11th century, is regarded as a founder of the Nath sampradaya. Tradition holds that a shrine rose where he performed his sadhana, and the town grew around it. Published accounts agree that the temple was attacked and rebuilt more than once, but give no firm construction dates, so none are given here.
In the 20th century the math was led by mahants including Digvijay Nath (1935 to 1969) and Avaidyanath (1969 to 2014), who built up its educational and charitable institutions.
Useful facts
Gorakhnath Temple facts at a glance
- Location
- Nepal Road, Gorakhpur, about 4 km from the railway station
- Faith
- Hindu, Nath sampradaya
- Deity/dedication
- Gorakshanath, with shrines to Shiva, Ganesh, Kali and Bhairav
- Visitor note
- Aarti times listed on the official site; free community meal served daily
- Built
- Ancient shrine, rebuilt over time; no firm date published
- Festival
- Makar Sankranti mela from 14 January, about a month
Why it matters
Why Gorakhnath Temple is worth your time
Gorakhpur is named after Gorakshanath, the medieval yogi associated with the Nath tradition, and this temple grew up at the place where he is said to have meditated. Even if you do not follow the tradition, the complex explains the character of the city: a place where a monastery sits at the centre of civic life, with schools, a health centre, a yoga institute and a free kitchen run alongside the shrines.
It also matters because of the festival calendar. Every January the temple hosts a month-long Makar Sankranti mela that draws very large crowds, and devotees offer khichdi. The math is led by a line of mahants, and its current head is listed on the official site as Yogi Adityanath, who is also Uttar Pradesh's chief minister at the time of writing.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The evening aarti
Between roughly 6 and 8 pm the courtyard fills with lamps, bells and chanting. It is the easiest time for a first visit.
- 02
Samadhi and dhuni
The shrine of Gorakhnath and the fire kept burning in his name are the spiritual core of the complex.
- 03
The community kitchen
The annakshetra serves a free meal at midday and in the evening to anyone who comes, a tradition the temple describes as ancient.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Arrive by rickshaw or cab to the gate on Nepal Road, leave footwear at the deposit counter and walk in through the outer courtyard. The complex is large, about 52 acres by one published figure, and includes shrines to Shiva and other deities, the samadhi chamber of Gorakhnath, a goshala and living quarters for ascetics. A room devoted to the nine Naths and a dhuni, a fire said to have burned since the saint's time, are part of the circuit.
Timing matters. The official site lists a Mangal aarti in the early hours, a Bhog aarti from around 11 am and the Sandhya aarti between 6 and 8 pm. The evening aarti is the best introduction for a first-time visitor because the courtyard fills gradually, the lamps are lit and the atmosphere is devotional rather than hurried. The temple also runs a free community meal at midday and in the evening, so you may see long rows of people eating together.
Finish by walking round the pond and quieter outer shrines, then ask your driver to take you to Gita Press and Gita Vatika, which are in the same part of the city.
Plan with confidence
Visit as a guest, not a spectator.
- Wear modest clothes that cover shoulders and knees
- Leave shoes and bulky bags at the counters; expect a security check
- Check aarti times on the official site before you go
- Avoid the mela weeks if crowds are a worry
- Keep small change for the shoe counter and donations
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Nepal Road, about 4 km from Gorakhpur Junction
- Time needed
- 1 to 1.5 hours; longer on festival days
- Best time
- Early morning or the evening aarti; avoid the weeks around Makar Sankranti unless the mela is the point
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- The grounds are mostly level and shaded in places, with a pond, courtyards and covered walkways, but queues on festival days and Mondays can be long and shoeless walking on stone gets hot in summer. Visit on a quiet weekday and ask staff about assistance if mobility is limited.
- Tickets and access
- No entry fee is listed. Dress modestly, remove shoes before the shrines and expect bag and phone checks; rules on cameras and leather can change, so ask at the gate. Check the official site for current aarti timings.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Gorakhnath Temple
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The grounds are mostly level and shaded in places, with a pond, courtyards and covered walkways, but queues on festival days and Mondays can be long and shoeless walking on stone gets hot in summer. Visit on a quiet weekday and ask staff about assistance if mobility is limited.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
When is the best time to visit Gorakhnath Temple?
Early morning or the evening aarti, between roughly 6 and 8 pm per the official site. Avoid the month-long Makar Sankranti mela from 14 January if you dislike crowds.
Is there an entry fee?
No fee is listed. Donations are voluntary. Check the official site for current rules on photography and bags.
Can non-Hindus visit?
The temple is a public pilgrimage site and visitors of all backgrounds come, but follow dress and footwear rules and ask staff if unsure about restricted areas.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.