BELAGAVI (Karnataka), Jul 30: The village of Yamagarni in Nipani taluk, Belagavi district, witnessed an extraordinary event as villagers celebrated the return of a beloved black indie dog named Maharaj. The dog, covered in garlands, was honored with a feast after it miraculously found its way back home, traveling nearly 250km on its own.
Maharaj had followed his owner, Kamalesh Kumbhar, on an annual pilgrimage to Pandharpur in South Maharashtra in the last week of June. Kumbhar, a devoted ‘Warkari,’ visits Pandharpur every year on Ashadha Ekadashi and Kartiki Ekadashi. This year, Maharaj accompanied him, having a fondness for bhajans and spiritual journeys.
After the pilgrimage at the Vithoba temple, Kumbhar realized that Maharaj was missing. Despite searching everywhere and hearing that the dog might have left with another group, Kumbhar returned home on July 14, saddened by the loss.
In an astonishing turn of events, Maharaj appeared in front of Kumbhar’s house the very next day, wagging his tail as if nothing had happened. The dog looked well-fed and healthy, much to the amazement and joy of the villagers.
Overwhelmed with happiness, Kumbhar and the villagers celebrated Maharaj’s safe return with a grand feast, believing it to be a miracle guided by Lord Panduranga. “It is such a miracle that the dog could find its way, although it was 250km or so away from home,” Kumbhar said.
This heartwarming story has brought immense joy to the village, reaffirming their faith in the divine.