Volunteers Support 100,000+ Pilgrims on 32km Trek

When more than 100,000 devotees set out on a grueling 32-kilometer pilgrimage route in Visakhapatnam, India, they found something unexpected waiting at every turn: volunteers ready to help them make it to the finish line.

The annual Simhachalam Giri Pradakshina pilgrimage during Guru Purnima on Tuesday brought together multiple volunteer organizations determined to support the massive crowd of walkers. Real estate association CREDAI Visakhapatnam handed out over 10,000 packets of buttermilk and fresh fruit to keep pilgrims hydrated and energized along the demanding route.

The Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organizations went even further with round-the-clock service from July 28 through July 29 morning. Their volunteers served breakfast, traditional rice dishes, chickpeas, biscuits, and tea at multiple locations while also providing pain-relief balm for weary travelers.

But perhaps the most touching gesture came when volunteers knelt down to massage tired pilgrims' feet using specially prepared herbal sesame oil. The practice has become a beloved tradition that offers physical relief and emotional encouragement to those struggling through the long walk.

Tamil Kalai Mandram volunteers distributed prasadam (blessed food), water, and energy drinks to thousands more pilgrims. The organization thanked donors and members of Visakhapatnam's Tamil community for making their support possible.

The Mudusarlova Walkers Association also joined the effort with their own food distribution program. Former Mayor Golagani Hari Venkata Kumari Srinivas participated and spoke about the pilgrimage's significance for devotees traveling from across Andhra Pradesh and neighboring regions.

The Ripple Effect

This coordinated volunteer response shows how communities can come together to support shared cultural traditions. When tens of thousands of people embark on a physically demanding spiritual journey, the collective care from strangers becomes part of the sacred experience itself.

The volunteers didn't just provide practical help. They created an atmosphere of community support that reminds pilgrims why these traditions matter in the first place.

Next year, organizers expect these volunteer efforts to continue growing as more groups recognize the impact of serving others during their most challenging moments.