VISHVENDU JAIPURIAR
Hazaribag, Oct 11: From Saria of Giridih to Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamnotri, Gangotri, Mahakauleshwar in Ujjain to Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi, 23-year-old college student Virat Singh has started his 4000 km long journey on foot to reach Hindu holy places.
Virat, who reached Hazaribag last evening, said he is a devotee of Lord Shiva and so planned this trip on foot to visit all the 12 jyotirlingas.
Son of Saryu Singh and Manju Devi, Virat said he has started his journey on Monday and it will take another six months to complete it crossing various districts in Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand and Madhya Pradesh.
His parents said earlier they got frightened when Virat discussed his plan with them. “But when Shiva has inspired him to take up such an arduous journey who we are to stop him,” they said.
Virat said all sudden he decided to take up this journey on foot. “It was a sign from Lord Shiva that I should reach out to him like this. With blessings of the god, I will complete my journey without any difficulty,” said Virat.
Virat today moved ahead from Chouparan which is sharing its border with Barachatti of Gaya in Bihar. “I am covering 50 to 60 km daily or even more. I am getting the support of the people and many helping me also,” he said and walked away saying, “Sab Bholenath ki kripa hai (It is the blessing of Lord Shiva).”
