Religion:Padayatra

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A padayatra (Sanskrit: पदयात्रा, romanized: padayātrā, lit. 'journey by foot') is a journey undertaken on foot, used both as a political–mass outreach tool and a spiritual pilgrimage (yatra). It is a journey undertaken by politicians or prominent citizens to interact more closely with different parts of society, educate about issues concerning them, and galvanise their supporters. Padayatras or foot pilgrimages are also Hindu religious pilgrimages undertaken towards sacred shrines or pilgrimage sites.[1]

In its political form, a padayatra enables leaders to move beyond conventional rallies and engage directly with communities across towns and villages, symbolising accessibility, humility, and solidarity. In its religious or spiritual aspect, it continues an ancient Indian tradition of travelling on foot through sacred landscapes, transforming walking itself into an act of devotion and self-purification. Beyond its practical purpose, a padayatra often embodies a message of reform, unity, or faith, linking movement with meaning and turning collective footsteps into a symbol of transformation. Notable padayatras in India include Mahatma Gandhi’s 1930 Dandi March against the British salt tax, Vinoba Bhave’s Bhoodan Yatra advocating land reform, and contemporary political marches. On the religious front, annual pilgrimages like Pandharpur Wari, Amarnath Yatra and Kanwar Yatra are prominent.[2][1]

Types of Padayatras

Gandhian Vinoba Bhave during his padyantra across India, as part of Bhoodan movement, a voluntary land reform movement in 1951.

Social causes

In the winter of 1933–34, Mahatma Gandhi went on a countrywide padayatra against untouchability.[3] Later, Gandhian Vinoba Bhave also started a padayatra, which was part of his Bhoodan movement in 1951. Starting from the Telangana region, Bhave concluded his padayatra at Bodh Gaya.[4] On 6 January 1983, Chandra Shekhar started his padayatra from Kanyakumari and continued his 4,260 kilometres (2,650 mi) journey to Raj Ghat in Delhi till 25 June 1983 to understand the problems of the masses.[5]

Puthan Veetil Rajagopal, in Janadesh 2007, led 25,000 landless peasants on a 28-day march from Gwalior to Delhi.[6] In 1986, Ramon Magsaysay Award winner Rajendra Singh started padayatras through villages of Rajasthan, promoting construction and revival of johads and check dams.[7]

Religious causes

Kanwar Yatra in pilgrimage town Haridwar, 2007

The warkaris from the Maharashtra state of western India practice a regular walk to religious places like Dehu, Alandi and Pandharpur. Ashadhi Ekadashi, Kartiki Ekadashi, Maghi Ekadashi and Chaitra Ekadashi are some of the popular days when pilgrims reach Pandharpur to worship Vithoba.[8]

The kanwariyas practice a regular walk to religious places like Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Kedarnath Temple, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, Vaidyanath Temple, Mahakaleshwar Temple, Amarnath Temple etc. Maha Shivaratri and Kanwar Yatra are some of the popular days when pilgrims reach the temples to worship Shiva.

Political causes

Gandhi on the Salt March, 1930 part of India's independence movement

Mahatma Gandhi originated the padayatra with his famous Salt March to Dandi in 1930, this was done to protest againt the new Salt taxes imposed by the British rule. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy did a 66-day-long padayatra covering 1,500 km (930 mi), meeting people across 11 districts of Andhra Pradesh.[9] He led his party to victory in the following general elections held in 2004 to become the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, which included Telangana also.[10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]


The Indian National Congress, under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, started Bharat Jodo Yatra, a padyatra on September 7, 2022 in Kanniyakumari at the tip of the Indian peninsula. This foot march will cover about 3,570 km in around five months. It will move across 12 States and two Union Territories, and shall end in Kashmir.[20]

See also

  • Selma to Montgomery marches
  • Suffrage Hikes
  • Acharya Mahashraman

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 History of Padyatra
  2. ↑ "Padayatra: From Gandhi to Rahul Gandhi". https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/padayatra-from-gandhi-to-rahul-gandhi/article65829273.ece. 
  3. ↑ Ramachandra Guha (Nov 8, 2005). "Where Gandhi Meets Ambedkar". The Times of India. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2005-11-08/edit-page/27860607_1_untouchability-padayatra-hindu. 
  4. ↑ David R. Syiemlieh (2005). Reflections From Shillong: Speeches Of M.M. Jacob. Daya Books. pp. 135. ISBN 8189233297. https://books.google.com/books?id=15mSMA8LXhoC&pg=PA135. Retrieved 9 May 2014. 
  5. ↑ Manisha (2010). Profiles of Indian Prime Ministers. Mittal Publications. pp. xxi. ISBN 978-8170999768. https://books.google.com/books?id=lSCyVxEg2t4C&pg=PA287. Retrieved 9 May 2014. 
  6. ↑ Laxmi Prasanna (Jul 28, 2017). "Activist PV Rajagopal to constitute taskforce in Kerala to ensure land for landless | Thiruvananthapuram News - Times of India" (in en). https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/activist-pv-rajagopal-to-constitute-taskforce-in-kerala-to-ensure-land-for-landless/articleshow/59812196.cms. 
  7. ↑ "The water man of Rajasthan". Frontline, Volume 18 - Issue 17. Aug 18–31, 2001. http://www.frontlineonnet.com/fl1817/18170810.htm. 
  8. ↑ Asghar Ali Engineer (2008). Sufism and Inter-Religious Understanding. Pinnacle Technology. ISBN 978-1618201683. https://books.google.com/books?id=r2KSW8QkLusC&q=varkari+vari&pg=PT211. Retrieved 9 May 2014. 
  9. ↑ "తెలుగు నేలపై చెరగని జ్ఞాపకం | YS Rajasekhara Reddy 75th Birth Anniversary On July 8th | Sakshi" (in te). https://www.sakshi.com/telugu-news/andhra-pradesh/ys-rajasekhara-reddy-75th-birth-anniversary-july-8th-2108962. 
  10. ↑ Governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan, Andhra Pradesh. "Farmers benefited by schemes of YSR – AP Governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan". https://www.rajbhavan.ap.gov.in/pdfs/pn20210708.pdf. 
  11. ↑ YSR Congress Party, YSR Congress Party (9 April 2020). "17 Years For YSR Padayatra". https://www.ysrcongress.com/special-news/17-years-ysr-padayatra-72090. 
  12. ↑ The Times of India, The Times of India (2 April 2003). "YSR's padayatra to begin on April 9". The Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/ysrs-padayatra-to-begin-on-april-9/articleshow/42102373.cms. 
  13. ↑ The Hindu, The Hindu (8 April 2013). "Vijayamma set to begin new innings". The Hindu. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/vijayamma-set-to-begin-new-innings/article4594671.ece. 
  14. ↑ India Today, India Today (19 July 2010). "Defiant Jagan 'pained' by aide's suspension". https://www.indiatoday.in/india/south/story/defiant-jagan-pained-by-aides-suspension-78918-2010-07-18. 
  15. ↑ Hindustan Times, Hindustan Times (22 September 2021). "YSRTP chief Sharmila announces padayatra from October 20". https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ysrtpchief-sharmila-announces-padayatra-from-october-20-101632250454746.html. 
  16. ↑ The New Indian Express, The New Indian Express (16 May 2012). "64-day Praja Prasthanam made him a mass leader". https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2009/sep/04/64-day-praja-prasthanam-made-him-a-mass-leader-83258.html. 
  17. ↑ News18, News18. "Ahead of Andhra Polls, TDP Leader Nara Lokesh Launches 4,000 Km Padayatra". https://www.news18.com/news/politics/ahead-of-andhra-polls-chandrababu-naidus-son-nara-lokesh-launches-4000-km-tdp-padayatra-6932383.html. 
  18. ↑ The Print, The Print (22 July 2021). "Why power of padayatra is fading in Telugu politics from YSR's days of 'charm & showmanship'". https://theprint.in/politics/why-power-of-padayatra-is-fading-in-telugu-politics-from-ysrs-days-of-charm-showmanship/700304/. 
  19. ↑ Sakshi Post, Sakshi Post (9 April 2020). "YSR Padayatra: 'Rajanna' Made His Big, Monumental First Step This Day 17 Years Ago!". https://www.sakshipost.com/editors-picks/2020/04/09/17-years-of-dr-ysrs-historic-padayatra. 
  20. ↑ "Discovery of Congress: On Bharat Jodo Yatra". The Hindu. 8 September 2022. https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/discovery-of-congress-the-hindu-editorial-on-bharat-jodo-yatra/article65866600.ece. 

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