Pad-yatra (travel by foot) from Thane to Igatpuri with Sai-Palkhi (Palanquin) in April-2024

Twenty-eight years ago, in the last week of March 1995, I was shifting from Aurangabad to Thane by road and I saw a lot of devotees of Saibaba going to Shirdi on foot as a I passed through the way to Nashik, Ghoti, Igatpuri and Shahapur. A lot of Sai devotees were walking under the hot Sun and many of them were walking bare-footed. I wondered whether I could walk for such long distance of more than 200 km. Twenty-eight years passed by and was tied in the busy life of Mumbai.

And now, I got an opportunity to walk to Shirdi with Sai-palkhi. One of our colleagues in our bhajani mandal, Smt. Nandini Dhoble was asking has been me for the last 4-5 years that I should also come with Saibaba Palkhi (Palanquin) Pad-yatra (travel by foot) of Shri Sai Sevak Mandal, Ghantali, Thane. She has been going with Palkhi for the last 20 years. Further, 2024 is a special silver jubilee (25th year) for the Mandal. The devotees walk early in the morning and evening to avoid hot sun. With some apprehensions, I said yes to her and decided to join the pad-yatra (travel by foot) this year.

Being in April, the summer had already entered in its peak period and climate was very hot and sultry even in the mornings and evenings. I practiced a daily walk of at least 6 km and sometimes 12 km for a month and was getting comfortable toward a target of walking 200 km.

The pad-yatra (travel by foot) was scheduled from 07-Apri-2024 to 15-April-024 i.e. for 9 days with a walk of 25-30 km per day at the pace of 12 to 15 minutes per kilometre. It means walking for 7 to 8 hours in two sprints viz. in the morning from 04.30 AM to 09.30 AM with one break for breakfast and evening from 04.30 AM to 09.30 AM with one break for aarti (worship) and tea/snacks. The devotees used to take rest, chant bhajans (devotional songs) and lunch from 9.30 AM to 04;30 PM

The following was the schedule of the pad-yatra (travel by foot) (in Marathi language):

Mr. Shyam Mohite was pad-yatra (walk on foot) Pramukh (chief-in-charge) and has been organizing it since last 25 years meticulously. This year 350 to 400 devotees with more than 50% women participated in the pad-yatra. Main control points of the procession were two flag-holders (one is at the front, and another is at the back) no one must be outside of these two boundaries. Support systems were providing bottled water / glucose to devotees at every 1-2 kilometres. An ambulance equipped with first-aid box and a team of massaging experts was also available at two locations.

Many Palkhis ((Palanquins) comprising of thousands of devotees were also advancing towards Shirdi from various parts of Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan, Bhivandi, Shahapur, etc. to reach on the auspicious day of Ramnavami. A few lakhs devotees gather in Shirdi on the day of Ramnavai every year. It was great privilege for me to participate (though partly) in such big gathering and religious event.

Due to very hot climate and inadequate rest, I started getting tired very much every day especially on the fourth day. On the fourth day, I decided to terminate my pad-yatra with a lot of regret. I had walked 85+ kilometres by then- the longest in my life but was not enough to take me to the holy place – Shirdi. I had to return to home by bus. This was wish of Lord Saibaba and I accept gratefully.

I sincerely extend my gratitude towards Shri Sai Sevak Mandal, Ghantali, Thane, Shri Sham Mohite and Smt Nandini Dhoble. They provided me an opportunity to experience glimpses of the Pad-yatra.

Overall, the pad-yatra was altogether different experience which tested my physical endurance to a maximum limit. at the same time gave me opportunity observe closely how such processions are managed minutely and meticulously for years and years like Pandarpur pad-yatra.

Please Click Here to see the photos of the Sai Palkhi Padyatra, 2024 of Shri Sai Sevak Mandal, Ghantali, Thane.

A very satisfying but tough pad-yatra testing my physical endurance …!!!

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