From Sultanganj to Babadharm: A Kneeling Journey of Faith

Subodh Kumar Singh, a 38‑year‑old devotee from Lakhi Sarai, launched a unique pilgrimage on 28 July, leaving Sultanganj with his son and a friend to reach Babadharm, the abode of Baba Baidyanath. Unlike the typical barefoot march, Subodh pledged to traverse the entire distance by keeping his knees pressed to the earth.

He has already logged more than 18 kilometres, moving at a pace of one to one‑and‑a‑half kilometres per day. The constant friction has torn the epidermis of both knees, creating deep, painful wounds that bleed continuously. Still, Subodh says his inner fire to meet the saint’s darbar outweighs any physical distress.

The pilgrim’s background includes nine dand‑vat treks performed alongside his spiritual teacher, 108 Dayaram Das Ji Maharaj, a practice he began in 2009. After a brief hiatus, Subodh decided to replace the traditional method with a knee‑only march, calling it a more intense form of worship.

Family members attempted to dissuade him, fearing severe health consequences, but Subodh’s conviction remained firm. He explains that the act is not driven by any personal wish; rather it is a pure offering of devotion, a form of “hath yog” that demands absolute discipline.

Each day the pilgrimage becomes a moving meditation, testing Subodh’s patience and belief that the divine will ease his path as it did during earlier pilgrimages. The journey, which would normally be covered in a few hours by vehicle, has turned into a prolonged struggle, illustrating the depth of faith that motivates many pilgrims across the region.

Subodh’s story highlights the powerful combination of pain, perseverance, and spiritual ambition that defines extreme devotional practices in Bihar.