Over 600 passionate devotees embark on a spiritual pilgrimage to pay respect to their revered deity.
A uniquely stunning spectacle of devotion is unfolding across the northern Indian plains these days as a group of over 600 worshippers of the divine Karauli Shankar Mahadev resolutely walk in a mass pilgrimage covering hundreds of miles. Their incredible spiritual procession commenced from Kanpur city with poignant ceremonies at the venerated Anandeshwar Dham temple. It will now traverse numerous villages and towns over several days before culminating at their final destination -Shri Karauli Sarkar, Poorvaj Mukti Dham, the sacred abode of their revered deity where more than 20,000 devotees are expected to join.
This massive band of devotees views the challenges of this long march they have undertaken as a small sacrifice to express their infinite gratitude towards Karauli Shankar Mahadev. Their lives having been profoundly transformed by his bountiful blessings and vision, this is their ultimate offering of thanks to him. Chanting electrifying devotional hymns all along their yatra, men and women across social strata merge as one pulsating expression of love for their worshipped Lord.
At their first day of travel the devotees took rest in Rama Devi village to reinvigorate themselves for the passage ahead next morning. Several devotees recounted astounding stories of being rescued from extreme tragedies, poverty or ailments after wholeheartedly seeking refuge in Karauli Shankar Mahadev’s grace. From cancer patients to jobless youth, many amongst them attributed receiving miraculous new leases of life to Karauli Shankar’s divine personality that fills one with love, hope and strength immeasurable.
While resonating in inner silence before Karauli Shankar Mahadev, the devotees also prayed that his progressive vision for society prevail. Ending practices of animal sacrifice or enabling people to overcome addiction – such causes close to the deity’s heart were upheld by the devotees who sought that their spiritual effort bring positive social change. Their mass mobilization would surely accelerate these reform movements so critical for community welfare.
