NOIDA: Given the recent terror attacks in Uri last month and earlier Pathankot in January, devotees of ISKCON Noida are on a padyatra (foot march) to promote national peace and security.

The padyatra, which was flagged off by Mahesh Sharma minister of state for tourism and culture (independent charge) from Noida’s ISKCON temple on Oct 2 and will go on till Oct 15 to end at Vrindavan, has reached Dankaur on Wednesday (today) with many local followers joining and spreading the message of peace across villages in Noida and Greater Noida. “The padayatra reached Dronacharya temple at Dankaur village where village head along with others welcomed the devotees,” said Buddhimanta Dasa, PRO ISKCON Noida.

On reaching Dankaur, the devotees led by Vanshidhar Das, president ISKCON Noida, visited the Dronacharya temple (built after Eklavya worshipped the archery master Drona here – Drona taught archery and military skills to Pandavas and Kauravas) and performed kirtan there. Padayatris also sang bhajans on the streets of the village and distributed prasad.

Travelling through military camp resort, ISKCON Greater Noida, Azampur Garhi village and Dankaur the devotees will pass through Jewar, Tappal, Jadpura, Bazna, Barot, Naujheel, Taiti village, Maunt, Bhandir Vana and reach Kaliya Dahan Vrandavan on Oct 15 from where, the devotees will proceed to ISKCON temple Vrindavan. “Many devotees are are joining the padayatra and walking on foot while chanting and dancing the Hare Krishna mahamantra kirtan. The purpose of this yatra is to spread the message of peace and offer prayers for national security,” said Dasa.

On Monday, the devotees reached Greater Noida, where former UP education minister Nawab Singh Nagar welcomed them and offered his prayer.

Decorated Hare Krishna Sankirtan Rath and accompanied by an Ox cart, with the pair of Ox pulling the cart named Krishna and Balarama, the yatra is conducted by Loknath Swami Maharaj, who’s conducted many such marches across the world.