Bharat Parikrama Yatra completes 21 days

RSS Pracharak launched ‘Bharat Parikrama’ Completes 21 days, Yatra

Know Bharat, Be Bharat and Make Bharat Vishwaguru’ is the slogan of the Bharat Parikrama Yatra. Scheduled for an approximate span of 5 years, it is aimed at covering 15000km. The Bharat Parikrama Yatra is believed to be a milestone in the attempts of social reformation in rural life of India.

Seetaram Kedilaya’s Bharat Parikrama Yatra received a warm welcome at Thiruvanantapuram, Kerala

Bangalore August 29: The Bharath Parikrama Yatra undertaken by RSS Pracharak Seetharam Kedilaya has successfully completed 21days. The Yatra has been aimed at the upliftment of rural life in the villages of India. The Yatra which was launched in Kanyakumari on August 9, has now covered an approximate distance of 300km. After having received a warm welcome across the villages of Southern Kerala, the Bharath Parikrama Yatra is continuing in Kerala till November 4. On November 5, the Yatra will enter Karnataka from Talapadi, Mangalore.

A day’s Yatra schedule for Seetharam Kedilaya begins after the performance of Gopooja (Worshipping Holy Cow) at 6.15am every morning unfailingly, in the village he happens to be in. At 6.30am the yatra begins with a walk for 3 continuous hours after which, at 9.30am he reaches the next village. Visiting he nearest temple and offering prayers is always part of the yatra. After entering a village, he takes rest for a few minutes, following which he plants a tree in the temple premises or in its proximity. Lunch is a moderate affair which is always at a villager’s home, irrespective of caste, creed, language or colour. Food is always accepted as food from these homes. Incidentally, Kedilaya takes food only once a day. Food is followed by an hour’s rest.

Bharath Parikrama Yatra in Kerala-August-2012

According to routine, Kedilaya goes for a ‘Gram Sampark’ at 3.30pm. It is a program where villagers are reached out personally. As part of Gram Sampark, Kedilaya meets selected individuals  of the vllage, who are mostly school teachers, village physicians or gram vaidya, village heads etc. This is followed by a mass gathering at 5.30pm. Known as Gram Samkeerthan, bhajans and satsangs are an inevitable aspect of the same.  Kedilaya delivers a speech to villagers on national issues, which usually takes place at 7.00 pm. During the course of these addressals, 9 vital issues are stressed upon Protection of land, Protection of cow, Conservation of trees, Conservation of biodiversity, Protection of individuals and families (Jan Sandhan), Conservation of water, Preservation of native village culture, Rural employment  and Preservation of values of rural medicine.

The 21 days of Bharath Parikrama Yatra that has been completed till now by Kedilaya in the villages covered is in the same style as mentioned here. Currently, on Day 20, Kedilaya has reached a village near Kayamkulam in Alappuzha district in Kerala. “The response Kedilaya received till now in the villages has been immense and overwhelming, with the yatra enlightening the villagers who flocked to him in large numbers”, said Sharathchandra  Baliga who accompanied Kedilaya during the first 13 days of the Yatra.  

‘Know Bharat, Be Bharat and Make Bharat Vishwaguru’ is the slogan of the yatra. Scheduled for an approximate span of 5 years, it is aimed at covering 15000km. The Bharat Parikrama Yatra is believed to be a milestone in the attempts of social reformation in rural life of India.
Kedilaya hails from Puttur, Karnataka. He has served as Akhil  Bharatiya Seva Pramukh of RSS till March 2011.

Seetarama Kedilaya planting a cocunut plant near Chavara at Kerala during Bharath Parikrama Yatra.

Bharath Parikrama Yatra in Kerala-Aug-2012

Seetarama Kedilaya discussing with religious heads of Villages he visits during Bharath Parikrama Yatra in Kerala-Aug-2012

Seetaram Kedilaya with Children at during Bharat Parikrama Yatra in Kerala

Seetarama Kedilaya addressing the gathering in a village during Bharath Parikrama Yatra in Kerala

The boy sitting on chair, translated Kedilaya’s speech from Hindi to Malayalam

Source: samvada.org