Patna: Seventy-two-year-old Krishna Rani, a resident of Muzaffarpur town and retired schoolteacher, embarked on her 41st religious journey as a “kanwariya” to Deoghar in Jharkhand from Sultanganj in Bhagalpur district on Saturday. She has been undertaking this pilgrimage since 1982, except for the years 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and related restrictions.
The woman covers the 108km journey between Sultanganj and Deoghar in 16 hours by running at a rhythmic pace. The Dak Bams (Lord Shiva’s devotees), who complete the distance by walking or running non-stop without resting even at night, include her. Krishna Rani holds a record of completing the journey in 13 hours, achieved when she was younger and more physically fit.
Upon reaching Sultanganj, Krishna Rani plans to bathe in the Ganga on Sunday morning, collect holy water in a pot and then commence her journey to Deoghar, aiming to complete it by early Monday morning. She will offer the holy Ganga water to Baba Vaidyanath at the Deoghar temple. The ritual will be performed under full police protection as devotees throng to touch her feet for blessings.
Over the past four decades, Krishna Rani has become a legendary figure, revered as a symbol of female energy emanating from Shiva. “Without his blessing, I would not have been able to continue my journey for so many years and decades,” she told reporters.
The kanwariyas, devotees of Shiva, traditionally begin their pilgrimage on the first Monday of ‘Shrawan’, marking the start of the monthlong Shrawani Mela. During this time, lakhs of devotees from across the country, and even some from abroad, perform the same ritual every Monday, hoping for the fulfillment of their wishes. However, Krishna Rani, also known as Krishna Bam, stands out among the kanwariyas.
Her decision to embark on this annual pilgrimage began under miraculous circumstances. Born in 1951 and originally from Prataptand village in Vaishali district, Krishna Rani witnessed her husband, Nand Kishore Prasad, suffering from the deadly disease kala-azar. Despite numerous treatments, his health improved gradually, which she attributed to Shiva’s blessings. After her husband regained full health, she vowed to undertake the journey from Sultanganj to Deoghar every year, beginning in 1982.
In addition to her annual pilgrimage, Krishna Rani has visited other significant religious sites, including Vaishno Devi, Haridwar, Gangotri, Rameswaram, Kamrup Kamakhya, and she plans to visit the Mahakal temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.

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