12 Facts About Mahant Avaidyanath

Mahant Avaidyanath was the Mahant of Gorakhnath Temple, succeeding his guru Digvijay Nath.

Mahant Avaidyanath was a politician of the Hindu Mahasabha and, later Bharatiya Janata Party, being elected to the Lok Sabha from Gorakhpur four times.

Mahant Avaidyanath played an important role in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement.

Mahant Avaidyanath was the mentor and guru of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Mahant Avaidyanath was elected Lok Sabha member from Gorakhpur as an Independent candidate in 1970 but lost 1971 General Election when Indira wave swept India.

Mahant Avaidyanath won again in 1989 as candidate of Hindu Mahasabha.

Mahant Avaidyanath was elected MP from the same seat in 1991 and 1996 as Bharatiya Janata Party nominee.

Mahant Avaidyanath retired from electoral politics after that, and his protege Yogi Adityanath was elected to Lok Sabha in 1998 General Election.

Mahant Avaidyanath was a leader of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, founding the Sri Ramjanmabhoomi Mukti Yagna Samiti in 1984.

Mahant Avaidyanath gave sermons exhorting the listeners to give votes only to those parties that promised to liberate the Hindu sacred places.

Mahant Avaidyanath will be remembered for his patriotic zeal and determined efforts to serve society.

Mahant Avaidyanath died on 12 September 2014 at the age of 93.