We are witnessing an extraordinary journey of endurance, faith, and survival. Andy Vytheeswaran, a native of Valvettithurai (VVT) now based in London, has embarked on a legendary cross-country spiritual trek. Alongside his dedicated friend Ratna Ganeshanandan, Andy and Ratna are walking the ancient Pada Yatra pilgrimage—stretching an incredible 576.5 kilometers from the absolute northern tip of Sri Lanka all the way to the sacred southern highlands of Kathirkaamam (Kataragama). The ultimate test of their devotion comes at the very end of this grueling trek, where the pair will leave civilization behind to walk the final two legs entirely on foot through the untamed wilds of the Yala jungle. Facing the raw elements of nature, they will be stopping over for two challenging nights camping deep inside the jungle—sleeping on the riverbanks and jungle floors—before climbing the holy mountain to complete their monumental journey.
This isn’t just a walk; it is a profound testament to resilience. Decades after surviving the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami in Sri Lanka, Andy is treading across his homeland once more—this time, transforming footprints of survival into a march of spiritual triumph.
🗺️ Sri Lanka Pada Yatra Journey at a Glance
- The Pilgrimage Route: Starting from the historic Selva Sannathi Murugan Temple in Thondamanaru (Jaffna), moving down the rugged eastern coast, cutting straight through dense wilderness, and finishing atop the sacred mountains of Kathirkaamam Murugan Temple.
- Total Distance: 576.5 Kilometers entirely on foot.
- Duration: A grueling 25-day schedule (June 19 – July 14, 2026).
- Trekking Gear: A strict 8kg pack containing bare essentials—ranging from a traditional white umbrella for sun protection to hydration packs and lightweight tents for the deep jungle floors.
📜 The Sacred History of the Kathirkaamam Foot Pilgrimage
The pilgrimage Andy and his team are undertaking is one of the oldest, most mystical multi-faith traditions in South Asia.
For centuries, the Pada Yatra (literally meaning “foot journey” in Sanskrit) has united people across Sri Lanka. Historically, pilgrims would begin walking from as far north as Jaffna and VVT, moving village by village, relying entirely on the kindness of strangers.
Ancient Traditions of the Route:
- Living with Nature: The pilgrimage traditionally concludes with a dangerous, multi-day trek through the uninhabited wilderness of Yala National Park and Kumana. Pilgrims rely completely on the hospitality of coastal villages and local fishers for sustenance, sleeping under the stars or on temple floors.
- The Spirit of the Jungle: Walking through the jungle represents a total detachment from the material world. As Andy’s itinerary shows, the final days demand sleeping on the riverbanks of the Kumbukkan Oya and the rugged jungle floors of Yala—an ancient rite of passage where nature and the divine become one.
- A Multifaith Sanctuary: Kathirkaamam is uniquely sacred. It is a place where Tamil Hindus worship Murugan, Sinhalese Buddhists venerate Kataragama Devio, and Muslims honor al-Khadir. The Pada Yatra serves as a powerful historical symbol of peace and unity.
📸 View the Live Photo & Video Album
From watching local fishermen haul in massive coastal nets (Karavalai) on the eastern beaches to braving sun-drenched, desolate dirt roads, Andy has been documenting every step of this inspiring expedition.
You can view live photos, videos, and daily updates directly from their tracking maps by clicking the official photo album link below:
👉 View Andy’s Official Google Photo Album
🗓️ The Detailed 25-Day Foot Pilgrimage Schedule
To trace the massive scale of this walk, here is the team’s day-by-day itinerary and trekking log according to the Pilgrimage travel schedule.pdf and Pilgrimage Route Map.pdf:
| Day | Date | Start Location | Destination | Notes & Overnight Stay PDF |
| Day 1 | 20/06 | Colombo | Jaffna | Train to Jaffna, overnight stay in VVT |
| Day 2 | 21/06 | Jaffna | VVT | Rest day in Valvettithurai (VVT) |
| Day 3 | 22/06 | Selva Sannathi | Nagar Kovil | 32 Km – Stops at VVT Amman, Sivan, & Vallipuram temples |
| Day 4 | 23/06 | Nagar Kovil | Kattaikadu | 28 Km – Trekking down the peninsula coastal roads |
| Day 5 | 24/06 | Vethilaikeni | Salai | 30 Km – Staying in Robert Sammattiyar’s traditional beachfront vadi |
| Day 6 | 25/06 | Salai | Vatappalai | 36 Km – Heading towards the famous Amman Kovil |
| Day 7 | 26/06 | Vatappalai | Vatappalai | Rest Day at Vatappalai Amman Temple |
| Day 8 | 27/06 | Vatappalai | Kokkilai | 37 Km – Walking across آळில்லா காடு (isolated/desolate lands) |
| Day 9 | 28/06 | Kokkilai | Kumpurupiddi | 40 Km – Crossing the Kokkilai lagoon by boat |
| Day 10 | 29/06 | Kumpurupiddi | Kavaddikudah | 31.5 Km – Passing the historic Thirikoneswaram Temple |
| Day 11 | 30/06 | Kavaddikudah | Kiliveddi | 34 Km – Continuing south through Trincomalee district |
| Day 12 | 01/07 | Kiliveddi | Vakarai | 32 Km – Entering the eastern agricultural farmlands |
| Day 13 | 02/07 | Vakarai | Vakarai | Rest Day |
| Day 14 | 03/07 | Vakarai | Valaichenai | 28.5 Km – Trekking toward Batticaloa district |
| Day 15 | 04/07 | Valaichenai | Kalladi | 34.5 Km – Arriving at Batticaloa’s famous coast |
| Day 16 | 05/07 | Kalladi | Pandiruppu | 37 Km – Staying at Sri VadaBhadra Kaali Amman Kovil |
| Day 17 | 06/07 | Pandiruppu | Thirukovil | 37 Km – Resting at Sithra Velayutha Swami Murugan Temple |
| Day 18 | 07/07 | Thirukovil | Arugam Bay | 38 Km – Reaching the world-famous surf coast |
| Day 19 | 08/07 | Arugam Bay | Arugam Bay | Rest Day before the grueling jungle wilderness stretch |
| Day 20 | 09/07 | Arugam Bay | Ukanthai | 29 Km – Arriving at Okanda Murugan Temple (The Gate to Yala Jungle) |
| Day 21 | 10/07 | Ukanthai | Kumbukkan Oya | 22 Km – Jungle Entry: Sleeping on the wild riverbank |
| Day 22 | 11/07 | Kumbukkan Oya | Yala National Park | 25 Km – Deep Jungle: Sleeping entirely on the jungle floor |
| Day 23 | 12/07 | Yala Jungle | Kathirkaamam | 25 Km – The Finish Line: Climbing Kathirkaamam Mountain! 🏔️🕉️ |
📢 Live Field Updates: Days 8 & 9 (Trincomalee to Kiliveddi)
🗺️ Day 8: Kumburupiddy to China Bay (June 29, 2026)
- Distance Covered: 36.11 km | Steps: 54,862
- The Route: Passing through the iconic Trincomalee city limits.
The day began with an emotional boost as Andy’s family arrived on the roadside to offer their love, supplies, and physical support for the long miles ahead.
By mid-morning, the team reached the magnificent rock-bound Koneswaram Temple (Koneshwaran Sivan Koil) in Trincomalee to pay their respects and receive blessings. The day concluded with a unique trek alongside local railway lines, bringing them safely into China Bay to rest for the night.
🌾 Day 9: China Bay to Kiliveddi via Muthur (June 30, 2026)
- Distance Covered: 35.66 km | Steps: 54,222
- Moving Time: 8 hours, 17 minutes
Andy logged this as a relatively smooth but incredibly heartwarming 34km stretch heading down towards the Muthur region. This day was defined by two unforgettable encounters:
The Tattered Kurtha & The Beggar’s Kindness 👕 “My lovely wife, Narmatha, brought me a brand new kurtha today. My old one had become so incredibly dirty and tattered from the journey that a local beggar in Trinco town actually felt sorry for me and offered me his own food! Having said that, the old tattered clothes definitely gave me that authentic, traditional pilgrim look.” — Andy
For lunch, the team stopped at a small village called Ralkully in the Muthur district. In an incredible twist of fate, Andy’s old school batch boys had previously raised funds to build a primary school in this exact village. Upon realizing who was walking through, the incredibly grateful school principal hosted the pilgrims and prepared a beautiful lunch for them—a poignant showcase of local hospitality and cosmic full-circles.
The team has officially clocked out of Day 9 and is resting safely tonight in Kiliveddi.
🙌 Send Them Your Blessings
To walk nearly 600 kilometers under the blazing Sri Lankan sun is a feat of pure devotion and mental strength. Andy and his friends are carrying the prayers, the deep history, and the unbreakable spirit of VVT with them across the country.
Keep them in your thoughts, share this post with friends and family, and stay tuned as we update you on this historic trek!
Vetrivel Muruganukku… Haro Hara! 🛕✨
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