If the pandemic ends and things return to normal, I will come to Mumbai on foot to see Lalbaughcha Raja.” Samir Jagdishbhai Datani, a 44-year-old education inspector, had uttered this vow before undertaking an epic 770-km journey from Gujarat’s Junagadh district to Mumbai. The pilgrim started his arduous expedition on August 13 and reached Mira Road around 5 pm on Tuesday after walking for about 25 days, covering a distance of 740 kilometres.

He is expected to reach his destination around 4 pm on Wednesday after spending the night in Kandivli. The devotee told mid-day he had been coming to Mumbai to worship the Lalbaughcha Raja for five years in a row prior to the pandemic.