GORAKHPUR, Oct. 23 -- Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday morning performed the sacred Govardhan Puja at the Gorakhnath Temple, as part of the five-day Deepotsav celebrations. Amid devotional chants and traditional rituals, he offered prayers to Lord Krishna and performed Gau Seva (cow service) by feeding jaggery and gram to cows in the temple cowshed. Emphasizing the spiritual and socio-economic significance of the festival, Adityanath said: "Govardhan Puja is not merely a religious ritual; it represents India's deep connection with nature, agriculture and cattle. In an agriculture-based country like ours, the cow is both a symbol of faith and a pillar of economic stability. By linking this sacred tradition with Deepotsav, we are celebrating devotion along with development." He described Govardhan Puja as an integral part of the five-day Deepotsav. Highlighting the state government's initiatives for cow protection and farmers' welfare, the CM said, "Our government has covered nearly 16 lakh cattle under various schemes. We have launched multiple initiatives for the care of destitute cows and for empowering farmers through a cow-based economy." He also mentioned the Govardhan Yojana, which promotes the use of cow dung for producing bio-compost and ethanol, ensuring that farmers derive economic value from traditional practices....