My memoir is not about the accomplishments as a solo woman walker. This is about the struggles and the challenges that had shaken me. And the immense moments of gratitude that made my holy walkathon unique. 
A 5600 km Atulya Ganga walkathon, an army veterans initiative, was a colossal effort ever taken by any organization in India for a noble cause. Besides reviving the Vedic tradition to walk along Ganga, the cause of Ganga rejuvenation made Atulya Ganga walkathon more impactful.
Atulya Ganga walkathon, the Atulya Ganga Parikrama, began on 16th December 2020 at Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh in India. This was a group walk. I was the only woman to participate in the complete walkathon. I underwent a rigorous training program for 7 months before the real walk of around 35 km everyday.
On 7th March 2021, while walking in Bihar, my left leg got severely hurt. Some serious internal injury. That day I took 17 hrs to cover 30 km which otherwise I would walk in less than 8 hrs. That day I felt the value of each step walked.
By that day I had walked more than 2500 km. I needed treatment and had to leave the group walk. Thereafter I walked 3145 km solo after getting treated by a local orthopedic surgeon and a few days rest as advised.
This memoir is about my solo holy walkathon that was inwards as much as was outwards.
When I had decided to walk solo for thousands of kilometers for the cause of holy river Ganga, no one had agreed to my decision. Everyone was worried for my safety and daily arrangements, being alone and being a woman, as I was going to walk on the routes which were neither tourist friendly nor had the facilities from a pilgrimage point of view.
Still stood by my decision, thinking that not only will I show reverence for holy Ganga that way but will explore my country as well. Will experience social traditions closely. Will experience nature, the way never did before. Will experience human behavior towards a lone woman walking.
Went ahead with my solo walk as knew I can handle situations to a large extent having my years of solo travel experience worldwide. Also knew I can financially back my solo walk through my own savings.
And being a spiritually strong person, I can withstand adverse circumstances with inner strength.
My epic walkathon took many twists and turns in due course much like a feature film, which has uncanny suspense, a slice of thrill, erupting emotions, sobbing tragedy, wrapped in faith, with poise of bravery. And the heroine, a lone woman who won’t bog down. Won’t surrender to unwelcoming events. Won’t get trapped in unpleasant occurrences. Yet sadness shrouded the heroine when taking even one step to walk seemed a horrendous task and thousands of kilometers were to be walked.
I was brave. But did have the anxiety of the unpredictable challenges and the only way was to face the challenges upfront.
My memoir : MYATULYAGANGAPARIKRAMA (designrr.page)
Sharing glimpses of my mountain and glacier treks during holy walkathon, in this short video.
I think lone walks/hikes or simply time alone tell you more about yourself than you ever dared to learn with other people. it was interesting to read about your journey inside
Absolutely so. We experience differently in a lone walk.
This is very interesting. You are so brave to do this alone. I’m happy about your achievement. Always keep safe!
Thanks Risa. Safety is paramount, indeed.
This is an amazing story. I love the life lessons you learned along your way.
Indeed Michele.
You are fierce! I would love to read into more detail about the twist and turn events that happened through out your journey. Glad you are safe and well.
Thank you. Stephanie this memoir unfolds all.
It sounds a little scary, but also sounds like it was worth it.
Absolutely Michele.
What a great accomplishment. I’d love to do one and I feel like a lesson will be taught after I finish it. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Lavanda. You must pursue.
Congratulation on your achievement. It is really impressive and inspiring story to read.
Ukeveryday
Thanks Paulina.
Gosh I crave doing something like this! I think solo walks and hikes are so liberating. The challenge of facing the unknown alone is so wonderful for our personal development.
Liberating absolutely.
Oh wow, good one you to do this. I don’t think I’d have the confidence to do a solo walk like this. It sounds like a good experience.
Great experience indeed.
I looove solo walks, Friedrich Nietzsche said that all truly great thoughts are conceived while walking and that’s true.
Absolutely true Unta.
Wow, that’s a lot of walking, you should be so proud of all your walking. It’s great that you’ve learnt some life lessons before x
Indeed Rhian. Valuable lessons learned.
That’s quite an achievement and must feel so rewarding in the end. Kudos to you! Sounds like an exciting challenge.
Very challenging but exploratory. Thanks Katherine.
You are an amazing person! Being alone and doing things alone is really good, at least that’s how I feel about it.
Lone walkathon has been a challenging experience.
Wow what an amazing journey both inside and out!
Perfectly so Steph.
What an amazing journey you’ve had! You are such a brave person for doing this as a solo walker. What a great achievement! I’m so happy for you.
Thanks Risa. I could achieve with determination and divine blessings.
So true so valueable to have a single point focus! I haven’t done a long walk in ages… it is a great thing to push through on hard things.
Single point focus made me succeed.
Wow, what a wonderful feat. Congrats and I love reading about what you did!
Thank you.
It is wonderful when we can actually know that we are resilient, strong and able to handle so many things. All of have a journey to walk.
Absolutely Rosey.
What an interesting way to reflect and spend time with nature. I wish you the best of luck on your future journey.
Thanks Jupiter.
I admire you for doing this solo walk. I don’t know if I would have been able to do something like this on my own to be honest.
All became possible only because of my spiritual faith.
Thanks for sharing your story. Great job walking – you’re truly amazing.
Thanks Thena.
It sounds like it was quite the experience! This was neat to read, I don’t know if I would be brave enough to walk for that long on my own.
Its all about unwavering determination.
THis seems like a crazy hike, how was the experience in Bihar and in the UP? I have heard its predominantly male dominated. How did you find it? Glad to come across this and the long hike. Do you have an article about the hiking gear you have used for this, would be great
In plains I used nothing. In mountains challenging treks gears were provided by adventure company whom I had hired.
what an amazing achievement! truly a great experience. best of luck on your future journey.
Great experience absolutely.
A brave and beautiful trek for the soul. What an incredible journey…an experience like this definitely changes you.
Trek to the soul. Absolutely.
Wow, that’s an amazing achievement! You are so brave to do this alone. Good luck with your next journey!
Thanks Risa.
What an incredible achievement! WELL DONE!
Thanks Laura.
What a story. Walking solo and taking time to be true to you is amazing.
With everyone’s good wishes I could do so.
That’s a incredible achievement keep going girl
Thanks Khushboo.
Such great realizations. I wanna have long walks likes these out in nature. Not much to see here in the city.
Realizations, yes.
despite the twists and turns you seem to have set your foot mark on a trail for others to follow
Thank you Deepu.