In a remarkable departure from tradition, a young couple from Uttar Pradesh has captured the nation's imagination by embarking on an epic bicycle pilgrimage to sacred Shiva shrines across India, forsaking a conventional honeymoon. Shekhar Dixit, 27, and his wife Gunjan, from Aligarh, are cycling to visit all 12 Jyotirlingas and the Char Dham sites, turning their marital beginning into a journey of devotion, endurance, and environmental consciousness.
A Journey Born from Faith and Determination
Shekhar, who owns a lock manufacturing business, and Gunjan were married in December last year. Instead of planning a leisurely holiday, they conceived a unique mission: a nationwide cycling pilgrimage. The duo began their extraordinary quest on June 23, shortly after their wedding, facing initial hesitation from their family. Their goal was twofold: to seek divine blessings and to promote the messages of environmental protection and physical fitness.
Carrying placards that explain their mission, the couple has pedaled through diverse terrains and weather. "The journey is challenging with rain, cold, and extreme heat, but it has strengthened our bond," Shekhar shared during their passage through Hazaribag district in Jharkhand on Sunday. Gunjan echoed this sentiment, noting that the pilgrimage has profoundly deepened their faith. "With Lord Shiva’s blessings, we hope to complete this sacred journey soon. Travelling together like this has made our relationship stronger," she said.
Covering Vast Distances with Unwavering Resolve
The scale of their undertaking is staggering. To date, the pair has covered nearly 16,000 kilometers on their bicycles. They maintain a rigorous daily schedule, cycling approximately 100 km each day from 5 AM until 7 PM, finding overnight shelter at petrol pumps along highways. Their route has already taken them through Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu (Rameswaram), Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Jharkhand.
From Hazaribag, they proceeded towards Deoghar, home to the Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga. Their final leg will take them to Varanasi (Kashi Vishwanath) and conclude at Dwarka in Gujarat. "In total, we have covered 16,000 km and hope to complete 20,000 with the final distance to Dwarka," Shekhar stated, outlining their ambitious itinerary.
The Sacred Itinerary and Public Reception
Their spiritual map includes all the revered 12 Jyotirlingas: Somnath, Mallikarjuna, Mahakaleshwar, Omkareshwar, Kedarnath, Bhimashankar, Kashi Vishwanath, Trimbakeshwar, Vaidyanath, Nageshwar, Rameswaram, and Grishneshwar, alongside the Char Dham shrines.
The couple actively shares updates from their journey on social media, where they have garnered widespread appreciation, particularly from the youth. Many locals and observers see their initiative as a powerful reflection of India's spiritual heritage, offering an inspiring alternative to modern, material-centric lifestyles.
Before continuing their pedal-powered odyssey, the Dixits expressed heartfelt gratitude for the country and its people. "India is such a good country, and its people are also so good and cooperative. The energy and the presence of the almighty we felt all the way through our journey is something we cannot explain in words," they said. They extended an encouragement to others, adding, "We want to tell all to take up such a journey once in a lifetime to explore every corner of India."
