Senior IAS KK Soan undertake 105-Km Barefoot Kanwar Yatra from Sultanganj to Deoghar in 23 hours

Deoghar: The spirit of devotion transcended the boundaries of official responsibilities as senior Jharkhand-cadre IAS officer K.K Soan , currently on central deputation in New Delhi, undertook a 105-km barefoot journey from Sultanganj to Baba Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar along with his wife Aradhana Patnaik, also a senior IAS officer of the Jharkhand cadre and presently posted in New Delhi.

The couple completed the challenging pilgrimage in less than 23 hours, carrying holy water from Sultanganj and offering it to Lord Shiva at the historic Baba Baidyanath Temple in Deoghar. The journey, popularly undertaken by Kanwariyas during Shravan, saw the IAS couple walking barefoot along the traditional route with the same spirit of faith and devotion as thousands of other pilgrims.

After reaching Deoghar, the couple performed jalabhishek at the Shivalinga of Baba Baidyanath, seeking the blessings of Lord Shiva. Their pilgrimage did not end at Baidyanath Dham. They subsequently visited Baba Basukinath Temple, another major Shaivite shrine in the Santhal Pargana region, and offered prayers there as well.

The couple’s 105-km journey in less than a day has drawn attention, particularly because of their demanding administrative responsibilities and their decision to undertake the pilgrimage on foot.

Sharing the spiritual significance of the journey, the couple expressed their devotion with the words, “Om Namah Shivay.” Their pilgrimage reflected faith, endurance and a deep connection with the religious traditions of Jharkhand.