Din Dayal – the Hindu Holy Man Who Crawls To Shrines - Why Some Hindus Perform Extraordinary Physical Acts To Reach Temples And Sacred Places?

Some of the ways people choose to show their devotion to the almighty are at times beyond imagination. Din Dayal from Gujarat has crawled a distance of 2700 km to visit various Hindu shrines in India.

Now he is planning to crawl to Vaishno Devi Shrine in Jammu. This is when many people find it hard to reach the temple through foot as it is atop a hill.

Why Some Hindus Perform Extraordinary Physical Acts To Reach Temples And Sacred Places?

Hindus perform extraordinary feats like crawling, rolling extra to reach temples and sacred and these acts are often manifestations of devotion and penance in Hinduism. Many Hindus believe in the power of performing certain physical acts, such as crawling or rolling, as a form of reverence and spiritual practice. Here are some reasons why such acts are performed:

Surrender and humility: Crawling or rolling towards a temple or sacred place symbolizes humility and surrender to the divine. It's an act of acknowledging the greatness of the deity or the sacredness of the place.

Physical penance: Some individuals undertake such acts as a form of penance for their sins or to seek blessings from the divine. It's believed that enduring physical discomfort or pain in this manner can purify the soul and bring one closer to the divine.

Fulfillment of vows: In Hinduism, people often make vows to deities, promising to perform certain acts in exchange for blessings or divine intervention. Crawling or rolling to a temple could be a fulfillment of such vows.

Demonstration of devotion: Extreme acts of devotion, like crawling or rolling, are seen as a way to demonstrate one's dedication and love towards the divine. It's a way of showing that one is willing to go to great lengths to express their devotion.

Seeking blessings: Some people believe that performing these acts can bring blessings and fulfill their wishes. They see it as a way to gain the attention and favor of the deity.

It's important to note that these practices vary greatly among individuals and communities within Hinduism. While some may see these acts as essential parts of their spiritual practice, others may not engage in them at all. Additionally, interpretations and significance of these practices can differ based on cultural and regional factors within Hinduism.