GiseleStead: improved citations after review per standard format

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improved citations after review per standard format

->Getsnoopy: Fixed some formatting issues.

2021-08-27T22:31:45Z

Fixed some formatting issues.

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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}

A '''padayatra''' ({{lang-sa|पादयात्रा|pādayātrā|journey by foot|translit-std=ISO}}) is a journey undertaken by politicians or prominent citizens to interact more closely with different parts of society, educate about issues concerning them, and galvanize his or her supporters. ''Padayatras'' or foot pilgrimages are also [[Hindu]] religious pilgrimages undertaken towards sacred shrines or pilgrimage sites.<ref>[http://www.padayatra.com/history.php History of Padyatra] {{webarchive|url=https://www.webcitation.org/69MQ33ldO?url=http://www.padayatra.com/history.php |date=2012-07-23 }}</ref>

==Social causes==
[[Image:Marche sel.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Gandhi on the [[Salt March]], 1930]]

[[Mahatma Gandhi]] originated the ''padayatra'' with his famous [[Salt March]] to [[Dandi, Gujarat|Dandi]] in 1930. In the winter of 1933–34, Gandhi went on a countrywide ''padayatra'' against untouchability.<ref>{{cite news |title=Where Gandhi Meets Ambedkar|author=Ramachandra Guha|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2005-11-08/edit-page/27860607_1_untouchability-padayatra-hindu |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120711203119/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2005-11-08/edit-page/27860607_1_untouchability-padayatra-hindu |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 11, 2012 |work=[[The Times of India]]|date=Nov 8, 2005 }}</ref> Later, Gandhian [[Vinoba Bhave]] also started a ''padayatra'', which was part of his [[Bhoodan movement]] in 1951. Starting from the [[Telangana]] region, Bhave concluded his ''padayatra'' at [[Bodh Gaya]].<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=15mSMA8LXhoC&pg=PA135 | title=Reflections From Shillong: Speeches Of M.M. Jacob | publisher=Daya Books | author=David R. Syiemlieh | year=2005 | pages=135 | isbn=8189233297 |access-date=9 May 2014}}</ref> On 6 January 1983, [[Chandra Shekhar]] started his ''padayatra'' from [[Kanyakumari]] and continued his {{convert|4260|km}} journey to [[Raj Ghat]] in Delhi till 25 June 1983 to understand the problems of the masses.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lSCyVxEg2t4C&pg=PA287 | title=Profiles of Indian Prime Ministers | publisher=Mittal Publications | author=Manisha | year=2010 | pages=xxi | isbn=978-8170999768 |access-date=9 May 2014}}</ref>

[[Rajagopal P. V.|Puthan Veetil Rajagopal]], in [[Janadesh 2007]], led 25,000 landless peasants on a 28-day march from Gwalior to Delhi.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Jul 28|first=Laxmi Prasanna / TNN /|last2=2017|last3=Ist|first3=21:23|title=Activist PV Rajagopal to constitute taskforce in Kerala to ensure land for landless {{!}} Thiruvananthapuram News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/activist-pv-rajagopal-to-constitute-taskforce-in-kerala-to-ensure-land-for-landless/articleshow/59812196.cms|access-date=2021-05-28|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> In 1986, [[Ramon Magsaysay Award]] winner [[Rajendra Singh (environmentalist)|Rajendra Singh]] started ''padayatras'' through villages of [[Rajasthan]], promoting construction and revival of [[johad]]s and check dams.<ref name=front>{{cite web |title=The water man of Rajasthan |url=http://www.frontlineonnet.com/fl1817/18170810.htm |date=Aug 18–31, 2001 |publisher=[[Frontline (magazine)|Frontline]], Volume 18 - Issue 17 }}</ref>

== Political purpose==
{{POV section|date=November 2019}}
[[Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy]] did a three-month-long ''padayatra'' covering {{cvt|1475|km}}, meeting people across several districts of Andhra Pradesh. He led his party to victory in the following general elections held in 2004 to become the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, which included Telangana also.

The YSRCP chief launched his ‘Praja Sankalpa Padayatra’ at RK Valley in his native Kadapa district after paying homage at the grave of his father. YSR Congress party coined a slogan “Raavali Jagan, Kaavali Jagan” (Jagan should come. We want Jagan) for the foot march that took to him across 125 Assembly segments in 13 districts of the state in 430 days. This Yatra was started on November 6, 2017 and ended on January 9, 2019.{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}}

==Religious causes==
The [[varkari]]s from the [[Maharashtra]] state of western India practice a regular walk to religious places like [[Dehu]], [[Alandi]] and [[Pandharpur]]. [[Ashadhi Ekadashi]] , [[Kartiki Ekadashi]], Maghi Ekadashi and Chaitra Ekadashi are some of the popular days when pilgrims reach Pandharpur to worship [[Vithoba]].<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r2KSW8QkLusC&q=varkari+vari&pg=PT211 | title=Sufism and Inter-Religious Understanding | publisher=Pinnacle Technology | author=Asghar Ali Engineer | author-link=Asghar Ali Engineer | year=2008 | isbn=978-1618201683 |access-date=9 May 2014}}</ref>

===The Tri-Nation Ahimsa Yatra===
{{main|Mahashraman}}
Acharya [[Mahashraman]], the 11th Acharya of [[Digambara Terapanth|Terapanth]] Dharmasangha, started his Tri-Nation Ahimsa Yatra in 2014 to advance the cause of non-violence with the aim of promoting harmony and brotherhood, escalating moral values and movement towards de-addiction. It is an endeavor to awaken a new faith in the infinite power of non-violence. He covered more than {{cvt|50000|km}} on foot, travelling {{cvt|15|-|20|km}} daily on an average,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-11-14|title=Mysuru to host Terapanth acharya after 50 yrs|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/state/mysuru/mysuru-to-host-terapanth-acharya-after-50-yrs-776154.html|access-date=2021-01-29|website=Deccan Herald|language=en}}</ref> which covered three countries (viz. India, Nepal and Bhutan) and 20 states of India.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=गर्ग|first=ललि‍त|title=अहिंसा यात्रा के प्रणेता आचार्य महाश्रमण|url=http://hindi.webdunia.com/indian-religion-sant-mahatma/acharya-mahashraman-121012800086_1.html|access-date=2021-01-29|website=hindi.webdunia.com|language=hi}}</ref>

The Ahimsa Yatra started from the Red Fort, New Delhi, in the year 2014, to Nepal in 2015 covering Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand, Guwahati in 2016 covering West Bengal, Sikkim, Bhutan, Meghalaya, and Nagaland, Kolkata in 2017 covering Orissa, and Andhra Pradesh, Chennai in 2018 covering Tamil Nadu and Kerala, Bengaluru in 2019 and Hyderabad 2020.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=29 Jan 2021|title=धर्म:आचार्य महाश्रमण ने 50 हजार किमी की पदयात्रा कर रचा इतिहास, अहिंसा की अलख जगाने कर रहे देश विदेश में पदयात्रा|work=Dainik Bhaskar|url=https://www.bhaskar.com/amp/local/delhi-ncr/news/acharya-mahashraman-created-a-history-of-50-thousand-km-march-traveling-abroad-in-the-country-burning-the-flame-of-non-violence-128171520.html|access-date=29 Jan 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Inspiring through exemplary lives|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2020/nov/24/inspiring-through-exemplary-lives-2227178.html|access-date=2021-01-29|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=28 Jan 2021|title=आत्मार्थी की परमार्थ की भावना से पचास हजार किलोमीटर की यात्रा|work=Thar Express News|url=https://www.tharexpressnews.com/indiaonlinenews/acharya-mahasharman_5984.html|access-date=29 Jan 2021}}</ref>

On 28 January 2021, Acharya Mahashraman crossed the {{cvt|50000|km}} mark<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=जैनाचार्य श्री महाश्रमण ने 50 हजार किलोमीटर की पदयात्रा कर रचा इतिहास|url=https://www.jagran.com/punjab/ludhiana-jainacharya-shree-mahashraman-created-a-history-by-doing-a-50-thousand-kilometer-walk-21311623.html|access-date=2021-01-29|website=Dainik Jagran|language=hi}}</ref> and created a new history by marching through his holy steps.<ref name=":2" /> In today's era full of material resources, where there are so many modes of transport, there are arrangements, still keeping the [[Rishi|Indian Sage tradition]] alive,<ref name=":0" /> the great philosopher Acharya Shree Mahashramanji is making a continuous march for public service.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Acharya Shri Mahashraman did 50 thousand km padyatra|url=https://hindustan24.online/tag/acharya-shri-mahashraman-did-50-thousand-km-padyatra/|access-date=2021-01-29|website=Hindustan 24|language=en-US}}</ref> Going by the figures, this Yatra is estimated to be 125 times bigger than Mahatma Gandhi's Dandi March<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=आचार्य महाश्रमण की 50 हजार किमी की पदयात्रा पूरी, नशामुक्ति और अहिंसा के लिए यात्रा|url=https://dailychhattisgarh.com/chhattisgarh-article-details.php?article=80862|access-date=2021-01-30|website=Daily Chhattisgarh News}}</ref> and 1.25 times more than the circumference of the earth.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Bhatnagar|first=Rajesh|date=29 Jan 2021|title=आचार्य महाश्रमण ने 50 हजार किमी पदयात्रा कर रचा नया इतिहास|work=Patrika|url=https://www.patrika.com/ahmedabad-news/acharya-mahashraman-made-a-new-history-by-walking-50-thousand-km-6658474/|url-status=live|access-date=29 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130034047/https://www.patrika.com/ahmedabad-news/acharya-mahashraman-made-a-new-history-by-walking-50-thousand-km-6658474/|archive-date=30 January 2021}}</ref> It is also speculated that if a person undertakes such a Padyatra, he can travel more than 15 times from the northern end of India to the southern end or from the eastern end to the western end.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news|title=आचार्यश्री महाश्रमण ने 50 हजार किमी की पदयात्रा कर रचा इतिहास, जगाई अहिंसा की अलख|url=https://www.livehindustan.com/national/story-acharya-shri-mahashraman-created-history-by-taking-a-50-thousand-km-walk-trough-23-states-of-india-and-nepal-and-bhutan-3816957.html|access-date=2021-01-28|website=Hindustan|language=hindi}}</ref>

Even before the start of the Ahimsa Yatra, Acharya Shree Mahashramanji had traveled about {{cvt|34000|km}} on foot for the purpose of self-welfare.<ref name=":0" /> He has visited Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, Nagaland, Meghalaya, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Pondicherry, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh and traveled to Nepal and Bhutan to inspire people to walk on the path of virtue by training meditation, yoga etc., it also paved the way for the sophistication of their misdeeds.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rounak|date=2021-01-28|title=आचार्य श्री महाश्रमण ने 50000 किलोमीटर की पदयात्रा कर रचा एक इतिहास, भारत के 23 राज्यों, नेपाल व भूटान में जगाई अहिंसा की अलख|url=https://jantaserishta.com/national/acharya-shree-mahashraman-created-a-history-by-taking-a-50000-kilometer-trek-awakening-non-violence-in-23-states-of-india-nepal-and-bhutan-774686|access-date=2021-01-30|website=jantaserishta.com|language=hi}}</ref> Acharya Shree, who emphasized on change of heart, also trained the public through various seminars, workshops during his visit.With his inspiration, millions of people irrespective of caste, religion and class have accepted the pledge of goodwill, morality and de-addiction in this long non-violence journey.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

==See also==
*[[Selma to Montgomery marches]]
*[[Suffrage Hikes]]
*[[Mahashraman|Acharya Mahashraman]]

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

{{Mohandas K. Gandhi|state=expanded}}
{{Civil rights movement}}

[[Category:Politics of India]]
[[Category:Gandhism]]
[[Category:Social history of India]]
[[Category:Hindu pilgrimages]]
[[Category:Walking]]
[[Category:Political activism]]

Padayatra - Revision history

GiseleStead: improved citations after review per standard format

->Getsnoopy: Fixed some formatting issues.