Man from India walks 8,650 km to perform Hajj

1 min read

Shihab Chottur, a 29-year-old Kerala native, accomplished his lifelong dream of performing the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca after embarking on an extraordinary 382-day journey on foot. Instead of traveling by conventional means like air, sea, or road, Chottur chose to undertake a challenging trek covering a distance of 8,650 kilometers.

Beginning on June 2, 2022, Chottur traversed through various countries including Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, and Kuwait before reaching Mecca in June 2023. However, his passage through Pakistan was temporarily paused due to a delay in obtaining a transit visa. During this period, he found shelter at the Aafiyah Kids School in Khasa, Amritsar, Punjab.

Despite encountering difficulties such as confronting predatory animals in Iran and enduring harsh winter weather, Chottur remained steadfast in his commitment to completing the pilgrimage. He carried provisions like food, water, clothes, and wood to keep warm during the nights.

Chottur’s average daily distance covered was around 15 kilometers in cold weather, and he pushed himself to walk nearly 50 kilometers per day under better conditions. In Saudi Arabia, he walked an average of 25-60 kilometers per day, taking nine days to complete the 440-kilometer journey from Medina to Mecca.

After reaching Saudi Arabia, Chottur visited Medina to pay respects at the prophet’s mosque and burial site. He spent 21 days in the city before heading to Mecca. Currently, he eagerly awaits the arrival of his mother, Zainab, who will join him on the pilgrimage.

Chottur hopes that his extraordinary journey will inspire others, emphasizing that with good intentions, any challenge can be overcome to achieve one’s goals.

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