The dog was treated by local veterinarians when it injured its paws on the way
A stray dog has been following a team of 13 Ayyappa Maladharis (devotees), who are on an annual barefoot pilgrimage to Sabarimala, from Andhra Pradesh to Chikkamagaluru district in Karnataka.
The canine has been following the group and has trekked 480 kilometres so far. The dog tagged along with the devotees, led by Rajesh Guruswamy, a resident of Todar in Mudabidri of Dakshina Kannada district.
The dog tagged along with the devotees, led by Rajesh Guruswamy, a resident of Todar in Mudabidri of Dakshina Kannada district.
Initially, the dog remained unnoticed by the devotees until they realised that the animal had been showing up behind the group now and then.
"We did not notice the dog initially. But as we continued, it kept showing up behind us every now and then. We offered it the food we prepare for ourselves. We perform Sabarimala pilgrimage every year, but this is a new experience," said the devotees.
They also said that the animal got its paws injured a couple of times and was treated by local veterinarians, adding that the group will now take its four-legged friend to Sabarimala in their spiritual journey.
The Sabarimala Temple was opened on November 16 for the 41-day long annual Mandala-Makaravilakku Puja festival.