Daijiworld Media Network - Chikkamagaluru (MS)
Chikkamagaluru, Nov 18: In a unique and rather strange happening, a dog is accompanying the Sabrimala devotees from a distance of 480 kilometers.
Six Sabrimala devotees, under the leadership of Rajesh Guruswamy, a resident of Todar village of Moodbidri taluk of Dakshina Kannada district have started barefoot walk from Tirupati Tirumala on October 31. A dog which got into the group is continuously following them. Now the team and the dog reached Kottigehara in the district of Chikkamagaluru on Sunday, November 17, which is a good 480 kilometers from where they started on October 31.
The Sabrimala pilgrims, who are stunned by the devotion the canine has on Lord Ayyappa, have decided to take the dog along with them to temple of Lord Ayyappa.
The dog had received some injuries to its legs due to continuous walking. It was taken to a vet by the devotees for treatment.
Speaking about the strange phenomenon, the Lord Ayyappa devotees said, "We do this barefoot march every year during this season. However, this year the experience is unique because of the dog. We did not notice the dog at first. But we later observed that it was following us. We are happy to see its devotion."