Historical Connections: Yogi Adityanath and Nepal’s Monarchy
Introduction to the Rally in Kathmandu
Recently, a rally held in Kathmandu to welcome former King Gyanendra Bir Shah of Nepal has stirred significant interest, particularly due to the presence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s posters. This event has reignited discussions about the long-standing historical ties between Nepal’s former royal family and Gorakhsh Peeth, which is currently led by Yogi.
The Legacy of the Shah Dynasty
The Shah dynasty ruled over Nepal until the monarchy was dissolved in May 2008. Members of this dynasty identify as Gorakhpanthi, followers of Guru Gorakhnath. In 2015, during a pro-monarchy rally in Kathmandu, Yogi was invited to speak and advocated for reinstating Nepal’s status as a ‘Hindu nation.’
According to political analysts, approximately 82% of Nepal’s population practices Hinduism. Many among them hold deep respect for Guru Gorakhnath and his teacher Guru Matseyndranath. The current political climate under Communist leadership and increasing Chinese influence has prompted calls for restoring both the monarchy and Hindu identity within the nation.
Personal Accounts from Supporters
Pradeep Bikram Rana, who proudly displayed Yogi’s poster at Sunday’s rally, returned to Gorakhpur on Tuesday after claiming he faced harassment from authorities in Kathmandu. He expressed admiration for Yogi as an emblem of Hindu pride.
Dwarika Tiwari, who has managed Gorakhsh Peeth since 1972, emphasized that even after the abolition of monarchy in Nepal, financial offerings are still made by royal family members during significant festivals such as Makar Sankranti (Rs 10,000), on birthdays commemorating their first king (Rs 5,000), and Dussehra (Rs 5,000). Each year these offerings are accompanied by ‘prasad’ sent back through a representative.
Cultural Significance: The Blessing Legend
There exists a legend that suggests Guru Gorakhnath bestowed blessings upon Prithvi Shah—recognized as modern-day Nepal’s inaugural king—during his childhood. This blessing purportedly foretold that his empire would thrive wherever he ventured; it is believed this prophecy played a role in unifying what was once a fragmented region into present-day Nepal.
these historical connections between Yogi Adityanath and Nepali royalty highlight not only cultural ties but also reflect ongoing sentiments regarding national identity among many Hindus within Nepal today.