This month, February, I have completed a 200km 'walk' in Malaysia along the secondary roads from Ipoh to Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur. I have two (almost) dead small toes to prove it! A spiritual yearning which has always been there and had become stronger over the years, has been fulfilled and I feel a better being for it. Those who thought I was crazy when I talked about it now think it is wonderful. Friends and even locals (of all nationalities who I met on the way) were left wondering whether they too should take time out and do something like this just for the fun of it and attain a sense of fulfillment.

My greatest joy was that one of my daughters (Parvyn) joined me as a shadow, staying about six feet behind me and urging me on when I wanted to stop prematurely. I am very lucky to have three lovely daughters who love me very much. Waheguru is kind.

For those who want details (and Malaysians) ... We started on Valentime's Day (Feb13) at 6.30am from the Gunong Rapat (Ipoh) gurdwara walking south along the Gopeng Road.

Ipoh - Gopeng - Kampar (nightfall) (est. 40km.) (Stayed with Drs. Sidhu)
Kampar - Tapah (est.20km).

(Break: Chinese New Year weekend. Friend Menjit Singh took us for a break from Gopeng thru Gua Musang (new road into the heart of the peninsula) to Kota Bharu (near Thai border). Visited some friends including Dr. Joe in Rantau Panjang. Drove back, back way, into Cameron Highlands briefly stopping at both gurdwaras - Brinchang/Tanah Rata. (Akhand Path in Brinchang and Youth Fellowship Camp in Tanah Rata.)

Sunday evening : walked Tapah - Bidor. (est12km)

Monday am. Started from Bidor at 6.30am but broke down 5km. out due to badly swollen right small toe.

Two days forced break. (Menjit drove us back to KL)

Thursday : Bidor to Slim River (est.30km) (Stayed with Dr. Dalip Singh and wife in Slim River)

Friday : Slim River - Tanjong Malim - Kalumpang (est.40km)

Weekend break. Saturday - VI old boys Reunion with former headmaster Mr. Murugesu - Guest of Honor.

Sunday : Asa Di Var with lawyers Raja and Balvinder Singh (and other friends) at (Naujawan) Sabha House in KL and kirtan at Selayang Gurdwara.

Monday : Kalumpang - Kuala Kubu - Batang Kali divert to Ulu Yam (est.40km) (Also my grand-daughter's 6th. Birthday!)

Tuesday : Ulu Yam to Batu Caves (est.22km)

Why did I do it? I do not really know except that the spirit yearned to do it and it had been in my mind for a few years now. It was a great opportunity to be one with my 'Maker' and also in touch with my soul. There were times when the body used to give up but the soul kept it going! It was more a journey - like life itself, rather than aiming for a destination.

Why Malaysia? Simply because this is my birth country, I know the lingo and I love the people and the country... and the food!
I am Malaysian at heart.

Being one fairly deeply involved in gurbani kirtan, I always feel that the strong advocacy of our religious practitioners - granthis, percharaks, ragis, kethakars etc - of 'patth', nitnam, naam simran, kirtan and other religious exercises do not put enough emphasis on all three of the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of our 'being'. Exercise and physical discipline are, I believe equally as important as 'just' religious 'exercises'. What I 'experienced' on my walk is something which only I can recall and savour but it certainly put my mental, physical and spiritual aspects of my being into perspective. It is important to be fully aware of our mortal self which then gives us a greater and more poignant understanding of our 'spiritual' self. To be fully aware of our mortal self we need to put our physical body through certain 'pain' rather than wait for God to inflict 'pain' on us through disease and other ailments which we actually bring upon us through our own neglect most times. It was as simple as getting up and going for a long long walk!

We walked as the sun came up in our faces. The joy of seeing the sun for the first time in the morning on the open road over mountains, jungles, palm oil estates, clear streams of water and, yes, even the early morning traffic which thankfully was sparse. The joy of doing JapJi as the early morning darkness turned to light and the sun smiled upon us! Thanking Waheguru for the bounty of life took on a special significance as we walked along, early in the morning, as the mist hung like curtains in the distant mountains and the vegetation dripped with dew. And then the sun struggled to peek out from behind the mountains and mist. The beautiful day was upon us! Mid-day was tough with the hot sun beating down upon us. We tried to find as many cool, shady, resting places as we could, catching a nap where possible. The 'walk' used to continue in earnest as the sun went down or as cloud cover came in, into darkness and the chance to rest our weary but satisfied persons.

We did get caught in one very heavy downpour with thunder and lightening. It was an unforgettable experience as even with rain-coats on, we slowly got drenched and our feet squelched in very wet shoes as we waded through angkle-deep rivulets on the roadside, with vehicles spraying us with more water from the road as they passed.

My friend Menjit Singh's young daughter decided to join us for the last day - about 22km. from just after Ulu Yam Bharu through some beautiful rain forest including a few waterfalls of crystal clear water past a simmering lake into the city via the famous Batu Caves. This was a joy for me because at best it is difficult to 'communicate' with the younger generation these days who, in general, firstly live with their new gadgets like Ipods, mobile phones which are nowadays permanently glued to their ears with earplugs in their ears and speaking devices in front of their noses; clothes which are normally one size smaller for girls so that their stomachs and other body parts are showing, and boys wearing clothes about 3 sizes too big so that one wonders how their trousers are being held up! They live almost in their computers and internet and avoid exercise and especially 'amritvela'. So, having her joining us at 6am and walking 22 km. was a joy and I am sure the experience will remain with her a long time. I also hope more youngsters can experience the joy of amritvela and just walking and enjoying nature and being at peace with themselves through naam simran.

We were able to complete this journey without any accident and I think we come away having, perhaps a better understanding of ourselves and the potential of our being. Finally, it was a very cheap and fulfilling holiday. I know, we have our 'TO Do' lists. We want to go to Hawaii; raft the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon; see the Himalayas; etc. etc. I FOUND THAT IT WAS AS EASY AS PICKING UP A BACKPACK AND A WALKING STICK AND GOING FOR A WALK - I MEAN A REAL WALK - SOMETIMES UP TO 40km. PER DAY. The great thing is that anyone can do this and attain a sense of achievement. I have.

I have an idea for a 'Padh Yatra' Holiday ! This can be done in Malaysia because of climate, safety and logistics. Walk say 20km. per day which can be done by Noon. Resting in the afternoon. Divan in the evening. Early sleep. Up at 'amritvela' for 'simran'. Walk another 20km. that day and repeating the process. The 'walks' can be gurdwara to gurdwara. No talking, just naam simran and kirtan divan in the evening. Any takers? I can now hold myself as an expert on 'walking' in Malaysia! A course can be charted between gurdwaras. Gurdwaras become accommodation, langgar and divan centres. There are gurdwaras 20km. apart in most states in Malaysia! This could become a holiday of a lifetime with mobile naam simran thrown in!

The 'walk' completed yesterday with a coconut drink at Batu Caves. The ringing of clarinets (shehnayees) and south Indian drums is still there in my ears as we climbed the 277 steps of Batu Caves mingling with Hindu devotees and sweating tourists to complete a momentous 'walk'.It has been a wonderful month for me and I am hoping I can repeat this in the near future and while the physical faculties, especially knees are still capable!

Friends Sher Singh from Canada and Bicky Singh (sikhpoint.com) from California were hoping to join me on this holiday but both were unable to. I am sure we can do this in the near future.I am so grateful to Waheguru that my little girl Parvyn joined me and shared my joy and exhileration of this wonderful 'padh yatra'. I also thank my good friend Menjit Singh and wife Laxmi for back up support and all the frends and relatives that I stayed with en route.