What walkers have written.

I do not know how it started. But once it did, it touched us to see that in the busy-ness of city life where everyone is stressed and scowling, there is a moment in their lives where they turn inwards to God. Hundreds of people take a moment to bow down and remember Him every time we walk. It brings so much joy to praise Him and spread His Light in this way.· Ananta ·

After some walks, participants post their reflections in a private WhatsApp group. A selection is shared here with the writers’ permission. Names have been removed, and the words have been kept in the writers’ own voice.

The first fear

Some walkers have written about feeling self-conscious during their first walk, especially while singing in public. One walker wrote:

If I had to go out into the streets of my hometown singing the Holy Names of God, I do not think I could do it, simply because of thoughts like: what will people think? What if someone I know sees me? I see that there is so much pride and foolishness inside my head. Humbly, I ask you to please pray for me and help me overcome my fears, pride, and ignorance.· a sister, first week ·

What walkers notice in the body

One walker described how self-consciousness affected the voice and body during the first two walks:

The first day, I did not have the courage even to look at the people on the streets. By the end of the first walk, some courage had come, and some comfort. The second walk was completely different. There was great joy in singing for God on the streets. Much less concern about who was looking. When a self-concern thought came and I bought it, my voice went feeble and my body felt constricted, my movements restricted. When I did not buy those thoughts, I sang loudly and danced too. It is quite an experience.· a walker, second week ·

Other notes also mention a softer voice or restricted movement when the walker feels observed. Some walkers continue singing quietly until they become more comfortable.

What singing does to the fear

Some walkers say that self-consciousness becomes easier over time, especially when they sing with the group. One walker wrote after a few weeks:

Though I have always loved the idea of walking the streets and singing songs in praise of God, to actually do it was less daunting and more wonderful than I had imagined. The first time, I felt self-conscious and did not look up at anyone. Even now, when we start, I feel awkward, but soon the chants take over and the fears fade. It is very helpful that we are in a group; the devotion of the sangha is contagious. By the end it feels like the end of a deep sadhana. It is liberating to leave the shyness, to take God’s name in public, to not hide one’s love for God. There is so much joy in seeing people in the middle of their busy day stop and take a moment to remember Him.· a walker, third week ·

Several notes say that group singing and the presence of the sangha made the initial discomfort easier.

What carries into the rest of the week

Some writers say that they began chanting God’s name during ordinary tasks after joining the walks. One walker wrote about a change at the office:

This has helped me with arrow prayer, the prayer of the mouth, when I am in public and at the office. Earlier I was very conscious. Now I enjoy chanting the Name aloud, in the small moments of the day.· a walker, several weeks in ·

For this walker, becoming comfortable with singing on the street also made it easier to chant quietly in other public places.

What walkers notice on the street

Walkers also write about passers-by who pause, fold their hands or bow to the murti. One walker wrote after the third walk:

The sound of manjeera and chants blurred everything around. Chanting God’s name with Sri Vitthal, with Ananta and the sangha, was so immersive. I was not aware of my surroundings and did not worry about what others thought. Only when we stopped in between, seeing people pause and bow to Sri Vitthal with such trust and love, was truly touching. The joy of remembering Him made me forget everything else. I only realised how far we had walked when I got in the auto to come home.· a walker, third week ·

Some writers say that these brief responses from passers-by were among the moments they remembered most clearly afterwards.

About this page

These are a few notes out of many. New ones arrive most weeks, and the page is updated slowly. The notes are not edited into a single tone. If you have walked and would like a note included, send it to the locality anchor. Names are removed by default. No one is asked to write anything.

Anyone may walk. Anyone may pray. The walks are free.

You may join the walk and pray in your own way.