Andhra Pradesh

Trekking barefoot to Lord’s abode

Mahabubnagar: They say faith works wonders. Braving scorching heat, treacherous journey through Nallamala forests, it is the sheer faith in the almighty that is motivating scores of ‘Shiva Swamis’ (people who take up penance in the name of Lord Shiva) from district headquarters and surrounding mandals to trek over 150-km journey barefoot to Srisailam.

Raising slogans and carrying ‘Irumudis’ (offerings to the Lord) on their head, Shiva Swamis hailing from Mahabubnagar town commence their ‘padayatra’ to Srisailam from Pedda Shivalayam (old town) via Bhootpur, Bijnapally, Nagarkurnool, Achampet, Mannanur, Egalapenta and Domalapenta.

Though the major part of the journey passes through villages along roadsides, the 40-odd km from Mannanur to Srisailam is testing time for devotees, since they prefer to pass through Nallamala deep forests to cut short the distance.

Devotees plan their journey aiming to reach Srisailam on Mahasivaratri (March 6). Walking nearly 30 km with two breaks (from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.) a day, it takes nearly five days for them to complete the journey, says Veeraiah, head priest of Pedda Shivalayam.

On Friday alone nearly 150 devotees started their journey and already over 4,000 Shiva swamis from town have left for Srisailam on barefoot. While, some carry rice and other essential commodities in trolleys and tractors and prepare their lunch on the roadsides and near temples, others prefer hotels and eateries, he adds.

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