Lucknow, Sep 24 (IANS): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah arrived in Gorakhpur Wednesday and paid homage to Mahant Avaidyanath who passed away Sep 12.

Soon after his arrival, Shah went to the 'samadhi' of the late saint and offered floral tributes.

Later speaking at a condolence meeting, the BJP chief recalled the "glorious and significant" contribution of the seer in making the Ram Janmabhoomi movement a people's movement.

Remembering Avaidyanath as a religious leader who always took up social causes, Shah said he would like to assure his followers that the work taken up by the seer would be taken forward.

He also hoped that party MP from Gorakhpur and now the Mahant of the famous Goraksha Peeth, Mahant Adityanath will take forward the rich tradition of the temple, followed by millions from the Nath sect and others.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan also visited the temple Wednesday and paid homage to the late seer.

The saint who passed away after prolonged illness at the age of 92 years was at the forefront of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement in the 90's and was BJP MP from Gorakhpur four times.