On the occasion of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s birthday, attention often turns to his distinctive earrings—more than mere ornaments, they carry profound spiritual meaning rooted in ancient yogic traditions.
Yogi Adityanath, a dedicated ascetic and spiritual practitioner, wears earrings that reflect his identity within the Nath sect. These earrings are believed to channel spiritual energy, protect against negativity, and symbolize the awakening of consciousness on the yogic path.
The tradition is closely tied to the Kanphata Yogis, an ancient sect known for the unique practice of ear-splitting. According to George Weston Briggs in Gorakhnath And The Kanphata Yogis, the initiation ceremony involves a guru splitting the ear lobes with a knife and inserting large rings, called mudras. This act symbolizes faith, spiritual power, and is said to aid immortality by opening mystic channels within the ear cartilage.
Legends trace this practice to revered yogis like Gorakhnath and Macchendranath, with stories of divine commands from Lord Shiva and sacred rituals cementing its place in Nath tradition. Initially, ear-rings were made from clay, but more durable materials are now used, sometimes indicating value and status.
The custom also relates to the Aughars, followers of Gorakhnath who have not undergone full initiation, highlighting variations within Nath sect practices.
Yogi Adityanath’s earrings thus offer a window into these ancient spiritual customs, symbolizing deep-rooted yogic discipline and faith that continue to inspire followers today.
