Devotion-driven Man in 14th Year of Pilgrimage on Foot
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (PS/VA)
Udupi, Jan 12: Meet Dundappa from Belgaum who has set a special record with his proficient walkathon skills to reach the holy place, Sri Kshetra Dharmastala.
Since last 14 years Dundappa has been active in walkathon. Every year he starts from Belgaum by foot to reach Sri Kshetra Dharmastala on the day of Makara Sankramana.
Dundanna who basically hails from Hosoor Muragoda of Savadatti taluk in Belgaum district is currently residing in Rajiv Nagar colony near Bauxite Road in the same district. By profession he is a car driver.
He launched his ‘padayatra’ on December 25 from Ganesh Mandir situated near Kittur Rani Chennamma circle, Belgaum. Babu Rao Yallappa Sanadi initiated his Padayatra by garlanding him a Rudrakshi festoon. He walked all the way from Bailahongala, Betageri, Dharwad, Kalaghatagi, Yellapur, Ankola, Gokarna, Honnavar, Idagunji, Murudeshwar, Byndoor, Kundapur and finally reached Udupi on Sunday January 9.
Dundappa walks 30 to 35 kilo meters everyday and from 12 am to 12 pm he observes ‘Mauna Vrutha’ a vowed religious observance to be silent. He tends to visit each temple that he gets along his march and resumes his walkathon after praying there.
44-year old Dundappa says he has been carrying out this walkathon with the whole- hearted co-operation of his wife Basavva, daughter Sunitha who studying in VIII std, another daughter Dhanamma studying in IV std and a son Manjunath who is studying in VI std.
Dundappa says he is doing all these with immense devotion as God has done all good things to him. He is leading a happy life in a small house with his family. “The cause for my joyous life is my trust in God” he reveals. His wife is a coolie worker.
Dundappa had left Udupi on Sunday and will walk towards Mulki, Mucchur, Nellitheertha, Moodubidri, Venoor, Belthangady to reach Shree Kshetra Dharmastala on the day of Makara Sankranthi on Friday January 14. Dundappa is able to converse in fluent Tulu.