Padayatra

Padyatra (Sanskrit, lit. journey by foot) is a journey undertaken by politicians or prominent citizens to interact more closely with different parts of society, educate about issues concerning them, and galvanize his or her supporters. Pada Yatras or 'Foot pilgrimages' are also Hindu religious pilgrimages undertaken towards sacred shrines or pilgrimage sites.[1]

Social causes
Gandhi on the Salt March, 1930

Mahatma Gandhi originated the padayatra with his famous Salt March to Dandi in 1930. In the winter of 1933-34, Gandhi went on a countrywide padayatra against untouchability.[2] Later, Gandhian Vinoba Bhave also started a padyatra, which was part of his Bhoodan movement in 1951. Starting from Telangana region, Bhave concluded his padayatra at Bodh Gaya.[3] On 6 January 1983, Chandra Shekhar started his padayatra from Kanyakumari and continued his 4260 km journey to Raj Ghat in Delhi till 25 June 1983 to understand the problems of masses.[4]

Rajagopal, PV, in Janadesh 2007 led 25,000 landless peasants on a 28-day march from Gwalior to Delhi. In 1986, Ramon Magsaysay Award winner Rajendra Singh started padayatras through villages of Rajasthan, promoting construction and revival of johads and check dams.[5]

Political purpose

Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, did a three-month-long padyatra covering 1475 kilometres, meeting people across several districts of Andhra Pradesh. He led his party to victory in the following general elections held in 2004 to become Chief Minister Of Andhra Pradesh, which included Telangana also. Nara Chandrababu Nayudu Nara Chandrababu Naidu is a religious soul but the aspirational human being that he is, like all of us, he will not be able to follow what Lord Krishna said in the Bhagvad Gita about man only doing his duty and not worrying about the results. For Naidu is certain to fret over whether his 208 days long walkathon over 2800 km has been worth the effort. The Telugu Desam chief ends his padyatra in Visakhapatnam today but he will have to wait almost 12 months to get his report card, post the elections to the Andhra Pradesh Assembly and Lok Sabha in April 2014. Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy, Leader of the Opposition in Assembly and YSR Congress Party president launched his 3,600-km-long walkathon named 'Praja Sankalpa Yatra' on November 6, 2017.[19][20]

The YSRCP chief launched his ‘Praja Sankalpa Padayatra’ at RK Valley in his native Kadapa district after paying homage at the grave of his father. YSR Congress party coined a slogan “Raavali Jagan, Kaavali Jagan” (Jagan should come. We want Jagan) for the foot march that took to him across 125 Assembly segments in 13 districts of the state in 430 days. This Yatra was started on November 6, 2017 and ended at January 9, 2019.

Religious causes

The varkaris from the Maharashtra state of western India practice a regular walk to religious places like Dehu, Alandi and Pandharpur. Ashadhi Ekadashi , Kartiki Ekadashi, Maghi Ekadashi and Chaitra Ekadashi are some of the popular days when pilgrims reach Pandharpur to worship Vithoba.[6] Mantralaya Paadayatra to worship saint shri Raghavendra Swamy and Shri Datta Paadayatra to worship lord Dattatreya & Murgod Paadayatra to shri shiva Chidambar swamy are famous from Dharwad city of Karnataka state(India).

See also

References
  1. History of Padyatra Archived 2012-07-23 at WebCite
  2. Ramachandra Guha (8 November 2005). "Where Gandhi Meets Ambedkar". The Times of India.
  3. David R. Syiemlieh (2005). Reflections From Shillong: Speeches Of M.M. Jacob. Daya Books. p. 135. ISBN 8189233297. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  4. Manisha (2010). Profiles of Indian Prime Ministers. Mittal Publications. pp. xxi. ISBN 978-8170999768. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  5. "The water man of Rajasthan". Frontline, Volume 18 - Issue 17. 18–31 August 2001.
  6. Asghar Ali Engineer (2008). Sufism and Inter-Religious Understanding. Pinnacle Technology. ISBN 978-1618201683. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
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