Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari, Dakshin Prant, Tamilnadu Vibhag, Rural Development Programme (VKRDP), Kovilpatti Branch organized Youth Padayatra to Pancha Bhuta Sthalas in Tenkasi District, Tamil Nadu on 29-Sep-2024 and 30-Sep-2024. Over 35 participants from 15 villages joined the Padayatra.
The padayatra covered a total distance of 54km over a period of 2 days. The Padayatra aimed at connecting young individuals with nature, promoting the conservation of natural resources and instilling virtues such as environmental consciousness, spiritual growth, and self-sustainability.
The participants were asked to report on the evening of 28-Sep-2024 at the Arulmigu Mathyasthanathar Temple, Dharugapuram, Tenkasi (Neer Sthalam - Water Element). Followed by reporting, Sri. Ramamoorthy ji from Sevalkulam, Tirunelveli District offered the Asiyurai (blessings) and Sri. Paramurugu Anna, Joint Secretary, VK-RDP led the introductory session and described the padayatra routes and the code of conduct. Later, the participants were grouped into 5 ganas and responsibilities were allocated to each gana including serving food, distributing pamphlets, sales of publication, etc.
The next morning after the Prarthana and Gita Pathan, Sri. Ramanathan ji from the Talaivankottai Zameen family waved the flag and started the Padayatra. On the way to Arulmigu Sankara Narayana Swamy Temple, Sankaran Kovil, Tenkasi (Nila Sthalam - Prithvi/Earth Element), the participants halted at the villages Malayadikkurichi, Talaivankottai and Nagaram, took refreshments and met the public, shared information about Kendra activities, sold RDP publications and performed street plays in the form of Yogasanas to create awareness about environmental conservation. On their way, the participants also paid a visit to Nipponzan Myohoji Tamilnadu (Buddha Temple for World Peace). The Buddhist monks welcomed the participants in their traditional way from the entrance to the shrine. Around 1 pm in the afternoon, the participants had a darshan of Sri Sankara Narayana Swamy at Sankarankovil. After lunch and some rest, the padayatra continued to the next destination - Arulmigu Paalvannanathar Temple, Karivalamvandanallur, Tenkasi (Agni Sthalam - Fire Element) and had darshan around 7pm. The participants stayed in Karivalamvandanallur Arulmigu Panchamoorthy Jeevasamati Temple Mandapam for the night.
Next morning after the Prarthana and Gita Pathan, the participants left for Arulmigu Thiripuranathar Temple, Thenmalai, Tenkasi (Vayu Sthalam - Air Element) via Paruvakkudi. After darshan at Thenmalai Shiva temple, the participants had breakfast. Sri. Ayyapan Anna, Secretary, Rural Development Program, arrived and met the participants and offered his Asiyurai (blessings) and stressed the importance of padayatra to temples. After some rest, the participants left for their final destination Arulmigu Nachadai Thavirththu Aruliyanathar Temple, Devadanam (Agaya Sthalam -Sky Element) via Vadakkuchathiram, Viswanathaperi and Sokkanathan Puthur, halted for refreshments and engaged with the villagers through street play and sale of RDP publications. Throughout the course of the padayatra, the participants enjoyed the beauty of the villages, agricultural fields and the scenic view of the western ghats.
After Darshan at the Devadanam temple, the concluding program was held. A few participants shared their experience in joining the padayatra. Sri. Ayyappan Anna addressed the gathering and offered his blessings. Sri. Paramaguru anna delivered the vote of thanks. The program concluded with Kendra Prarthana. The arrangements for the padayatra were led by Sri. Paramaguru anna and supported by the VK RDP Kovilpatti branch karyakartas.
During the entire duration of the padayatra, refreshments and food to the participants were provided by various local volunteers and kendra wellwishers. All of them were honored with a memento by VK RDP Kovilpatti branch karyakartas.
