RAMESWARAM: In a feat of sorts, a priest from undivided Uttar Pradesh completed a nearly 3000-km long 'padayatra' carrying 'Ganga Jal (water)' from the Ganga river source of Gangotri, when he reached the pilgrim-island of Rameswaram on Tuesday.
Praying to the Lord for blessing the world with enough water endowments and elimination of drought and water shortage, the priest Rathnakar Chaturvedi set upon a long 'padaytra' from Gangotri in the Himalayas, carrying Ganga water in two small pots tied to the ends of a 'Kavadi'.
Ratnakar Chaturvedi walked about 3,000-km over nine months and reached his destination of Rameswaram today. On reaching the pilgrim town, Hindu 'Sadhus' under the leadership of Mahamandaleeshwarar Seetharam Baba, gave Ratnakar a rousing reception. Local priests also joined in, chanting Vedic hymns, sources said.
Later, Ratnakar Chaturvedi went to the Sri Ramanathaswamy temple here and bathed the 'Shiva Linga' in the sanctum sanctorum with the 'Ganga Jal' he had brought from Gangotri and offered special 'Poojas'.
His walkathon for the cause of water drew the attention of the entire town.
