Tirumala: A 116-year-old woman from Karnataka has won the admiration of devotees across the country after completing the uphill trek to the Tirumala temple on foot to seek the blessings of Lord Venkateswara Swamy.
The remarkable pilgrimage by Navaneethamma has gone viral on social media, with many praising her unwavering faith, determination and resilience despite her advanced age.
Inspiring pilgrimage captures national attention
Accompanied by her family, Navaneethamma undertook the traditional foot pilgrimage to Tirumala, a sacred journey that thousands of devotees complete every year as an expression of devotion.
Videos of the elderly devotee making the uphill climb have been widely shared online, drawing appreciation from devotees and social media users across the country.
Many described her journey as an inspiring example of faith and perseverance.
TTD arranges special darshan
Moved by her extraordinary devotion, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) arranged a special VIP break darshan for Navaneethamma and her family early on Monday morning.
The special arrangement enabled the elderly devotee to have a comfortable and seamless darshan of Lord Venkateswara Swamy after completing the physically demanding pilgrimage.
The gesture by the temple administration was widely appreciated by devotees.
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu praises devotee
Navaneethamma’s inspiring journey also caught the attention of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who shared his appreciation in a post on X.
Calling her devotion remarkable, Naidu said her journey proved that age is no barrier when it comes to faith.
“Age is truly just a number when it comes to pure devotion! Absolutely awestruck by this 116-year-old grandmother from Karnataka who trekked all the way up to Tirumala on foot to have the divine darshan of Lord Venkateswara Swamy. Wonderful to see her family supporting her lifelong faith. Truly inspiring!”
His post quickly received thousands of reactions, with users echoing his sentiments and applauding Navaneethamma’s determination.
Family support wins appreciation
Many social media users also praised Navaneethamma’s family for accompanying and supporting her throughout the pilgrimage.
Several described the journey as a powerful reminder that faith, determination and family support can overcome even the challenges associated with old age.
The inspiring story has resonated with devotees across India, making Navaneethamma a symbol of enduring devotion and perseverance.
Conclusion
Navaneethamma’s extraordinary pilgrimage to Tirumala has touched the hearts of people across the country. Her determination to undertake the sacred trek at the age of 116 has become an inspiring testament to unwavering faith, while the support extended by her family and the recognition from the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu have further highlighted the significance of her remarkable journey.