A walk of 270km begins with a single step

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About 2000 people take up Pada Yatra or foot pilgrimage every year from Bangalore to Tirupathi covering 270 km and to be atop the hill on first saturday of the Shravan Month.

Shravan Month is considered as the most auspicious month in the Hindu calendar and it marks the beginning of religious festivals and ceremonies.

When i came across this news I was excited to join the group. Not that i am a religious person or keen to visit temples but the experience to walk 280km one one go. Living a whole week Literally on the national highway with thousands of never to be seen again faces. The thought of whole experience made me excited.

My neighbour and mentor, Papanna 64 years is a veteran making trips to all important temples and yearly penance and visit to Ayappa Swampy Temple for 20 odd years.

Papanna got me the required itinery well in advance from the Pada Yatra organizers and the start date was Saturday, 30th July

I smiled looking at the dates as i had no project in hand to complete and it was a lean period at job.

With two weeks in hand i hit to gym daily running about 5 km and making myself accustomed to walking and running conditions. I know its a short training when i have to walk 45 plus kilometer every day. However good that i can keep myself fit for the yatra.

With leave getting approved without a second word form my lead. I was thrilled and was looking forward for the yatra.

On the day of Yatra i purchased a saffron coloured towel and vest mandatory clothing for the yatra. Saffron cloths are respected by most of the Hindus for the simple reason, it is considered as a symbol of total and factual renunciation.

I could not believe that a saffron cloured towel around the neck would make people look at you in respect and humility and ask questions about the yatra enroute.


DAY 1 : Saturday, 30th July

Start time 3:30 PM

Stretch : Bayal Anjaneya Temple Old Madras Road to Kattanallur Gate : 17 km


It was a cloudy day. when i set out it was a gentle drizzle. waved and smiled to people around our business centre.

first we went to Bayal Anjaneya Temple on Old Madras Road The start point for the yatra. I just looked at groups of people coming to the temple and starting the padayatra. numbers swelling as the time went by.

Papanna having huge respect in our area was greeted by The temple Priest with warmth and the same greetings i too received as i was alongside to him.

Temple priest briefed us about the events and work they have taken up for the yatra.

I heard that the temple priest and his group had walked about 13,000 km covering about 600 temples across India. Unbelievable that some one takes up the hardest ever route to attain the ever eluding bliss life.

Priest gave us some tips for the yatra which proved useful in the journey.

We bowed to the God and took his blessings for success of this yatra. We set out and slowly walked in silence looking and smiling at fellow yatris walking in front and behind of us.

after we walked about 10 km there was tea and water stall set up to fill our dried up throat. We took a short break. Again we set afoot to the days destination Kattanallur Gate. we were making a steady pace of 3km per hour. The High way bord showing us 260 km to Tirupathi, looking at board i was happy it is achievable.
it was getting dark and in next three hours we came to the destination. time was around 9 PM. There was thousands of people at this location. It was a like a huge fair.

About 2000 people have food at this place.

I was told that about 20 years back some 5 people were walking towards Tirupathi and this area Land Lord invited them to have lunch at his house. Over the years the number swelled and today it stands at 3000 people having Dinner, breakfast and lunch free of cost and cleaning up the village takes up another two days.

The whole village was out in giving helping hand to this massive event.

I waited patiently for the crowd to recede and had dinner. Then there were provisions in a room to take rest. Some immediately started their walk after dinner and some retired. I was told to wake up at 1:30 AM and start the walk i was like what !!! only 3 hours sleep :( . it was chaos people were humming godly vereses. Now i knew why few people departed from there to find calmer places to sleep. I quickly went in deep sleep and was woken up shortly to an alarm of other guy. It was 1:30 AM and people who were sleeping beside me had already gone. Quickly i brushed and washed my face. Tea was ready by then. I had a cup of tea. and set out to walk in fresh state of mind.