Rot festival begins in Gorkha Cave

GORKHA: The 20th Rot festival began today at Gorakhnath, a Gorkha-based temple.

According to organizer Siddhashram Shakti Kendra (SSK), the 11-day festival aims to promote local and religious tourism in the district, encouraging people to seek a spiritual life.

The festival will end on May 15th.

According to legend, the Guru Gorakhnath’s favorite delicacy is Rot, which is baked from rice flour dough created by mixing 52 different ingredients, including coconut, clove, cardamom, and sugar, using ritualistic methods.

Guru Gorkhanath is said to have originally emerged in the Gorkha Cave.

Rot is offered to the Gorakhnath Temple every day, according to SSK Gorkha coordinator Kishor Kumar Akela, but it has been commemorated as a great celebration since the SSK’s initiation 20 years ago.

During the event, about 125 thousand Rots will be donated to the Gorakhnath Temple, which is celebrated in magnificent style.

Rots are prepared in two ways: Bhungre Rot, which is baked over an open fire, and Tawa Rot, which is fried in a pan with ghee.

The middle section of the rot is somewhat raised, reflecting the Rot’s legendary significance. It is produced by squeezing two fingers together while shaping the dough into the shape of a Rot, and it distinguishes the Rot. Rots come in a variety of sizes.

The organizers have arranged for food and lodging for those attending the festival. The event also includes a chariot procession, meditation and yoga camps, and Hawan and bhajan kirtan (the singing and dancing of legendary and devotional songs).

To mark the start of the festival, a chariot parade was performed this morning from the Buspark at Gorkha headquarters to the Gorakhnath Temple. Every year, the event begins on Buddha Jayanti and lasts 11 days.

Devotees from all across the country and India come to celebrate the occasion. This year’s festival is projected to draw around 100,000 visitors.