GORAKHPUR, May 3 -- Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati will embark on an 81-day "Gau Suraksha Yatra" (Cow Protection Yatra) from Gorakhpur on Sunday, aiming to mobilise public support for cow protection and advocate granting cows the status of "Rashtra Mata" (National Mother). The campaign, also described as the "Gavishti Yatra," seeks to strengthen both social and legislative support for cow protection while emphasising the cow's cultural and religious significance in India. The yatra is expected to cover all 403 assembly constituencies across Uttar Pradesh and pass through nearly 1.08 lakh villages to raise awareness about cow protection and related ground realities. Event coordinator advocate Manish Pandey said preparations for the yatra have been completed. The programme will formally commence from the Bharat Mata Temple in Gorakhpur and will begin with a ritualistic worship of the Shankaracharya's 'charan paduka,' followed by an address by the seer to devotees. Ahead of the launch, Swami Avimukteshwaranand visited his ancestral village Pinki in Sahjanwa. He was warmly welcomed, and attended religious programmes at Taramandal with many devotees. SHO Sanjay Kumar Mishra said police remained alert and security arrangements were in place throughout the visit.HTC...