Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday joined the Sanatan Hindu Unity Padayatra 2025, the meeting of Bageshwar Balaji and Banke Bihari. The meeting was held at the Katyayani Shakti Peeth in Chhatarpur. The event drew thousands of devotees from across Delhi and neighbouring states, turning the temple complex into a sea of saffron flags, chants and devotional fervour.
Calling the experience “deeply spiritual and emotional”, the Chief Minister said the Padayatra was more than a religious event; it was a collective expression of India’s Sanatan heritage.
“This Padayatra is not just a display of faith but a celebration of our eternal Sanatan tradition, a way of life that has for centuries united people through values of dharma, duty, compassion, and humanity,” she said while addressing the gathering.
The Padayatra, led by Acharya Dhirendra Krishna Shastri of Bageshwar Dham, began from the Katyayani Shakti Peeth in Chhatarpur and will conclude at the Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan.
Throughout the procession, the air resonated with chants of “Jai Shri Ram” and “Hari Bol.” Devotees sang bhajans, carried saffron flags and walked barefoot, expressing their devotion and reverence.
The event saw participation from Delhi Cabinet Ministers Manjinder Singh Sirsa and Kapil Mishra, along with several saints, social leaders, and community organisations. Security and crowd management arrangements were made by the Delhi Police and local administration, as tens of thousands gathered to take part in the yatra.
The Chief Minister said the Padayatra carried an important message at a time when the world faces social divisions and unrest. “This Padayatra is sending a powerful message of unity, faith, and social harmony to the entire nation, a message that is particularly vital today,” she said. “It reminds us that India’s strength has always come from her spiritual roots and her belief in universal brotherhood.”
She described the Padayatra as a “living and inspiring symbol” of India’s cultural and spiritual heritage. “Through devotion, we rediscover what truly binds us as a nation: compassion, truth and faith in the divine,” she said.
The Chief Minister also lauded the efforts of Acharya Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, popularly known as Bageshwar Dham Sarkar, for bringing together lakhs of devotees under one message of unity and Sanatan pride. “His spiritual leadership has inspired countless people to reconnect with their faith and traditions,” she said.
Participants described the Padayatra as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. “It’s not just a walk; it’s a spiritual journey,” said one devotee from Ghaziabad. Others said the yatra had created a sense of collective energy that transcended regional and linguistic barriers.
