On Saturday (November 14) morning, renowned storyteller Jaya Kishori, known for her simplicity and melodious voice, joined Dhirendra Shastri’s padayatra (foot march). Dhirendra Shastri honoured Jaya Kishori, after which the national anthem was sung, and Baba’s padayatra proceeded to its next halt. Pundarik Goswami and Parmarth Niketan Ashram chief Chidanand Saraswati also participated in the yatra. By afternoon, the yatra had reached the Jaint police station area.
Starting from Kosikalan Mandi, the procession moved towards Chhata via Azizpur and Dautana. Lunch arrangements were made at the ground located in front of the Becmate Company. After the meal, there was a session of bhajans and discourses by Dhirendra Shastri. The yatra then travelled about eight kilometres further to Gupta Residency, where the night halt was scheduled.
Earlier, at the Annapurna Rasoi, food was prepared for the devotees participating in the yatra, followed by Baba’s discourse. Before halting for the night at Gupta Residency on the National Highway, there were also bhajans and discourses planned. For this, artists from Varanasi created sand art based on the Bageshwar Dham theme.
Rupesh Singh from Varanasi said that he was making a sand sculpture in honour of Dhirendra Shastri. He added that he hoped Maharaj would be pleased to see the artwork. Mohan Singh, Alankuta, Ashu Kumari, and Rohan Singh were also involved in creating the sand art.
Devotees’ Enthusiasm and Faith
Thousands of devotees gathered to welcome the Sanatan Ekta Padayatra. The routes echoed with chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’, creating a divine atmosphere filled with devotion. When the yatra began from Mandi Samiti towards Chhata on Friday morning, devotees showered flowers and filled the surroundings with bhajans, kirtans, tableaux, and community feasts.
A massive crowd assembled to catch a glimpse of Baba Bageshwar Dham Sarkar. Before the yatra set off, several devotees, including Subhash Basaiya, Ved Prakash Goyal, Yogesh Khandelwal, Vinod Jain, KK Agarwal, and Sparsh Goyal, welcomed Baba at Shreeji Nikunj. Members of the Valmiki community, Girraj Singh and Nitin Tomar, greeted him with a mace and a silver crown. BJP leaders Tarun Seth and Seema Garg also offered their greetings, while Agarwal Sabha president Sanjeev Javia, Deshbandhu Agarwal, Manish Garg, Pintu Neta, and Jagdish Goyal were among many others who honoured Baba.
