Viral: 90-Year-Old Woman Walks 500km to Reach Badrinath
Savitri Devi, a 90-year-old woman from a small village in Rewa district, Madhya Pradesh, has become an internet sensation after completing a remarkable 500-kilometer barefoot journey to the Badrinath Temple in Uttarakhand. Her story, first shared by a local journalist on social media, has garnered over 50 million views across platforms.
Savitri Devi began her journey from Rewa on foot in early February, walking an average of 15-18 kilometers per day. She carried only a small bundle with spare clothes, a water bottle, and a framed photograph of Lord Vishnu. Along the way, villagers and fellow travelers provided her with food and shelter, forming a spontaneous support network that grew as her story spread.
She arrived at Badrinath on March 5, 2026, where temple priests performed a special puja in her honor. The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee arranged for her comfortable stay at the temple guest house and covered all her return travel expenses. Uttarakhand Governor felicitated her at the Raj Bhavan in Dehradun during her return journey.
When asked about her motivation, Savitri Devi simply stated that she had made a promise to Lord Badri Vishal as a young girl and wanted to fulfill it before leaving this world. Her story has reignited conversations about faith, determination, and the enduring tradition of padyatra in Indian spiritual culture.
