Silvester D’ Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapura (EP)

Kundapura, Aug 23: P Lakshminarayana Rao, proprietor of Udupi-based
Venkateshwara Sweets has been embarking on pilgrimage tours to Tirupati every year by foot repeatedly for the last 13 years. He has been walking all the way to the pilgrim centre in the company of his companions for 18 days every year.

This year too, the 13th year walk began on Tuesday, August 22, on the very next day of Nagara Panchami. Nearly 200 devotees are accompanying P Lakshminarayana on the holy journey walk this year and they are likely to reach Tirupati on September 7.

The pilgrims received clothing from Rao's residence, started the walk and stayed at Hiriadka Narayanaguru auditorium. They are provided with accommodation at a place every day. This year they have planned to stay at Hosmaru, Dharmasthala, Gundya, Sakleshpura, Hassan, Channarayapatana, Bellur cross, Kudoor, Chikkabemangala, Nandigrama, Kaivara, Rayalpadu school, Chintakeerthi Hall, Bakrapete school, Srinivasa Mangapura, Nandigrama, Kaivara, Rayalpadu school, Chintakeerthi Hall, Bakrapete school and Srinivasa Mangapura on their journey before they reach Tirupati to have the darshan.

Venkateshwara Sweets bears the entire expenditure that the devotees incur including food, drinking water, accommodation etc. of all the devotees during the journey.

Venkateshwara Sweets owner P Lakshminarayana Rao has won appreciation for his leadership, generosity and gesture that he has been extending for so many years.