Her old age does not deter her from trekking all the way from Dhramapuri district of Tamil Nadu to abode of Lord Venkateswara every year. Call it her zeal or devotion, Govidamma, who has celebrated her 90th birthday recently, has been taking a 300-km walkathon to reach Tirumala in the auspicious Puratasi month for the past two decades.
This time, Govidamma joined a 165-member devotee troupe from Dharmapuri that started journey for Tirumala last week. She reached Chittoor district headquarters on Monday. The occasion is the auspicious Puratasi month and the annual Brahmotsavams of the Lord, beginning September 26.
Oldest and perhaps wisest among the troupe, she is a big inspiration to all. The devotees are often surprised when they see this nonagenarian walking all the way, without taking help of any team members or even a staff. They say she walks as fast as any teenager. “Copious water and tea are the secrets behind my strength,” quips Govidamma.
Her team members Govinda and Elumalai, in their 40s, maintain that Govindamma has been guiding her all through the journey since several years. “Our paati (granny) knows everything. Where to halt, what to eat and how to trek and how to have darshan of the Lord. All our tiredness vanishes when we see her walking with enthusiasm. When we halt for food or rest, she sings the glory of the Lord,” says Govinda.
Govindamma exudes confidence that she would surely be walking to Tirumala year after year till she would turn 100.
“Padayatra is like a penance. Every devotee should experience it at least once in lifetime,” she says.
