Gorakhpur is a city located along the banks of Rapti River in the north-eastern part of Uttar Pradesh. It is located near the Nepal border, 273 kilometres east of the state capital Lucknow. The city is home to the Gorakhnath Math, a Gorakshanath temple.

The name “Gorakhpur” comes from the Sanskrit Gorakshapuram, which means abode of Gorakshanath, a renowned ascetic who was a prominent saint of the Nath Sampradaya.

The Gorakhnath Temple in Gorakhpur is named after the Guru Gorakhnath who learned his lessons in austerities from Matsyendranath, the founder of Nath Sampradaya (monastic group). Together with his disciple Gorakhnath, Guru Matsyendranath founded the school of Hatha Yoga, one of the schools most well known and practiced schools of Yoga.

The Gorakhnath Temple is considered to be the most important center for Nath yogis. The temple is representative of the yoga sadhna, austerities and enlightenment of Guru Gorakhnath. It is believed that the Samadhi shrine and gaddi of Gorakhnathji is located inside this famous and popular temple. The temple has significant following in eastern Uttar Pradesh, terai region and Nepal.

One of the popular legends associated with this temple and Guru Gorakhnath is that devotees chanting Gorakhnath chalisa 12 times are blessed with the divya jyoti or the miraculous flame.

In the records of the temple it is revealed that the Gorakhnath Temple structure and shape was transformed over the period of time. Notwithstanding the fact that the structure was destroyed twice, the place still holds its sanctity, its significance and its pious aura.

This temple is a good example of peeth of the Nath sect along with Indian sculpture. The most attractive feature of this temple is the garbh griha where white marble statue of sage Gorakhnath is portrayed as a manifestation of Lord Shiva in deep meditation posture.

His very sacred charan paduka has been placed close to his mediation site. Prayers are held every day in the morning and evening. The Temple is almost every day visited by the devotees. But on every Tuesday and Saturday the number of the visitors increases to great extent.

Khichhdi Parv (Makar Sakranti) 

The festival of Makar Sakranti is celebrated with great gusto at Gorakhnath Temple every year. As per the legends, it is said that once performing austerities Guru Gorakhnath reached Jwala Devi Temple. There Jwala Devi advised him to stay and offered him prashada but since the offering was not vegetarian shreenathji could not accept it.

Instead he told Jwala Devi to fire the hearth and boil some water and in the meantime he went out to beg for some grain to prepare khichhdi (porridge). The legend states that devi does as asked and that flame is still burning today at Jwalaji Temple but Gorakhnathji didn’t return.

Instead he wandered and reached Gorakhnath where currently the temple stands. He sat down here and started meditating. The devotees built a hermitage. It was the day of Makar Sakranti. To commemorate the occasion Khichdi Parv is celebrated every year with dedication.

Source:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorakhpur

http://www.templeadvisor.com/temples-in-india/hindu-temples/gorakhnath-temple

https://www.apnisanskriti.com/temple/gorakhnath-math-gorakhpur-uttar-pradesh-3168