Decade of Devotion: The Herbal Relief Network Aiding Simhachalam's Barefoot Pilgrims
Volunteers in Visakhapatnam are preparing specialized herbal oils for the 32-kilometer Giri Pradakshina trek on July 28, 2026. This decade-long initiative provides muscle and foot relief for thousands of devotees navigating the barefoot ritual.
The Science of the Sacred Ointment
As Visakhapatnam prepares for the annual circumambulation of the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple foothills on July 28, 2026, a specific ritual of preparation is unfolding at the NAD Junction Sivalayam. For ten years, a dedicated cohort of Shri Satya Sai Baba devotees has manufactured a potent therapeutic oil designed to sustain pilgrims through the grueling 32-km Giri Pradakshina. This is not a simple infusion; volunteers labor for an entire day over slow flames, boiling a 75 kg mixture of indigenous ingredients until the volume reduces by half, ensuring a high concentration of medicinal properties.
A Formula for Endurance
The manual production process, overseen by figures like Jagadeswara Rao and Sevadal coordinator Sunkara Murali Mohan, follows a precise traditional recipe. The base of sesame oil is enriched with a specific blend of stimulants and anti-inflammatories, including:
- Black pepper and garlic to stimulate circulation and warmth.
- Vetiver roots for their cooling and skin-soothing properties.
- Crude camphor and ajwain to act as natural analgesics for joint and muscle pain.
Once the mixture achieves its reduced, potent state, it is bottled for immediate distribution during the event. The goal is to address the common physical toll of the barefoot trek: severe blisters and deep muscular fatigue.
Sustaining the 32-Kilometer Journey
The trek begins at 'Tholi Pavancha', the initial steps of the Simhachalam hill, and carries on through the night. While various stalls along the route offer hydration and snacks, the station at NAD Junction focuses exclusively on physical recovery. Volunteers work shifts spanning day and night, massaging the warm, medicated oil into the soles and aching limbs of travelers. For participants like Revati, a government teacher who utilized the service during a previous pilgrimage, the application provides the necessary relief to complete the circuit. The service remains active on July 28 until the final devotee passes, marking another year of this unique intersection between traditional medicine and religious service.
Source: The Hindu — Cities
