It is a HINDU tradition to “walk to a pilgrim” on special events/occasions and during some festive seasons. it is known as “PAADA YATRA” and this is a general practice in HINDUISM and this is done across Bharath i.e. INDIA.
Paada Yatra is not merely a walking event but it is a religious event that inculcates devotion, spirituality and a connection with the divine.
The Paada Yatra was started by LETSGIVEHOPE under the auspice of the Hindu Council of Australia but soon transitioned completely to the Hindu Council of Australia as it was necessary to keep the event going for a long time.
The walk was originally started by Murali Koneru a Sydney resident and then joined by many friends and family over the years. Then we started Lets Give Hoope/Hindu Council of Australia started organising it for everyone who wants to walk to keep the traditions and culture. The aim of the walk is not only to keep the tradition and culture but also to encourage more and more youngsters to keep it going.
The walk happens twice a year. One is on Easter long weekend and the other is on Labor Day long weekend. The walk happens in 2 phases. The first phase starts at Murugan Temple in Mays Hill and finishes at Strathfield Sai Baba Mandir. The second phase starts at Saibaba temple and finishes at Sri Venkateshwara temple, Helensburgh.
In the first phase, Yatris leave Murugan Temple at 6 am to reach Strathfield Sai Baba Temple at around 9/9.30 am after walking approximately 15 km. After the aarti and the breakfast Yatris leave around 10.30 from the temple and reach Heathcote between 5 pm to 6 pm. From Heathcote yatris will be dropped off at Temple Rd to complete the walk to Sri Venkateshwara Temple, Helensburgh as walking on the freeway is not recommended since there is no footpath. Very few walkers stay overnight at Heathcote and complete the walk in the morning by walking on the freeway. At Sri Venkateshwara Temple there are special aartis and breakfast arranged for the Yatris. After the aarti and the breakfast, Most Yatris are picked up by their friends and family and some are dropped off by the volunteers either at a train station or wherever possible.
We advise all the Yatris every year that they should organise their own pick up as it is not possible for the volunteers to drop off everyone as there are 100s of Yatris.
A lot of people wish for something before doing the Yatra or walk after their wish came true and many reported that their wish came true. But most people walk just to feel divine, in praise of the Bhagwan (god) and be reminded that reaching god is not a simple task and one needs to take pain and stay committed.
The entire event is volunteer-driven and backed by sponsors and donations. All of the drinks, snacks, fruits and meals are sponsored by members of the community. Breakfast is arranged at Saibaba Temple every year by the Temple’s devotees/patrons/Yatris. Many volunteers donate their time to help with the event with their own vehicles on the day by distributing the water and fruits to the Yatris, bringing lunch and dinner, pick and drop the Yatris wherever possible after the walk finishes, keeping an eye on them so that they don’t wander off and miss the route, check on them to see if they are ok.
For all past activities refer to https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068143899449
Recent Activities
Paad Yatra Walk2Temple- Recent Activities
Paada Yatra, 30th Septmber 2023
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/paada-yatra-30-september-2023-tickets-707053966447?aff=oddtdtcreator Related Images:
1st Paada Yatra for 2023 is on 7th April
Join Paada Yatra on 7th April 2023. Celebrate our age-old traditions and take them forward to the younger generation to practice Sanatana Dharma. HCA started this walk in 2012 t not just to continue the tradition of pilgrimage on foot but also to get the Hindu youth to join in and participate in the traditions. […]
Paada Yatra, A Piligrimate on Foot – 1st October 2022
After 2 years of gap, we are finally able to organise Paada Yatra again this year. As most of us know that pilgrimage on foot is an age-old Hindu tradition. In India, devotees walk to Kedarnath, Vaishnodevi, Manasarovar, the great Pandharipur pilgrimage and the Chardham Yatra which includes the arduous task of walking at high […]
PAADA YATRA (walk-a-thorn) – 15th April 2022, 5:30 AM for 6:00 AM Start
PAADA YATRA Event Day: 15th April 2022, 5:30 AM for 6:00 AM Start Event starts at Sydney Murugan Temple Westmead to Sai Mandir Sydney Contact us walk2temple@gmail.com or www.facebook.com/pada.yatra Sri Murugan Temple, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia to Shirdi Sai Mandir, Strathfield, New South Wales Please register via – https://forms.gle/6ihgbGMY5dRiXpzs5 This year we raising funds […]
Paada Yatra – come rain or shine
Paada.yatra “come rain or shine” – Was it a true test of our determination to walk, come rain or shine or was the rain welcoming us for our determination to support the drought cause once again. Rain is the source of joy, happiness, optimism, destination, future and so on for an agrarian society.Rain is the […]
