A promise made during his mother’s illness has reportedly taken a 19-year-old from Bihar on an extraordinary journey across India. Monu Meturbala, who belongs to Araria district, has set out to visit all 12 Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva after praying for his mother’s recovery. Instead of travelling by bus, train or car, he has chosen to cover the long distances on foot, reportedly running nearly 50 kilometres every day.
According to reports, Monu began his pilgrimage on March 15, 2026, after his mother’s health started improving. Since then, he has reportedly covered around 8,000 kilometres and visited five of the 12 Jyotirlingas. His journey has attracted attention because it combines religious faith, a promise to his mother and the determination to complete a physically demanding challenge.
While his complete route and total distance have not been independently verified, the story has struck a chord with people who value devotion and the bond between parents and children.
Who Is Monu Meturbala, the 19-Year-Old From Bihar?
Monu Meturbala is a young man from Araria district in Bihar who reportedly decided to undertake a nationwide pilgrimage after his mother became seriously ill.
Like many families in India, Monu’s family faced a difficult period when his mother’s health became a concern. During that time, he turned to Lord Shiva and made a personal promise: if his mother recovered, he would visit all 12 Jyotirlingas.
When her condition began to improve, Monu decided to honour that commitment. His pilgrimage was not simply about visiting famous temples. It was also a way of expressing gratitude and keeping a promise made during a stressful period in his family’s life.
His story has drawn attention because he is only 19, an age when many young people are focused on education, career choices and building their future.
Why Did Monu Start Running Across India?
According to the reports, Monu began his journey on March 15, 2026, after seeing an improvement in his mother’s health.
Rather than using ordinary transport to travel between temples, he reportedly chose to run and cover the distance on foot. He is said to cover close to 50 kilometres on many days, although the exact daily distances have not been independently confirmed.
Running such long distances is physically demanding. It requires stamina, suitable footwear, sufficient food and water, recovery time and careful planning. Travelling through different states also brings challenges such as changing weather, busy roads and unfamiliar routes.
For Monu, the journey represents more than physical endurance. Every kilometre brings him closer to fulfilling the vow that inspired him to begin.
His reported decision also highlights how personal experiences can shape the way people express their faith. For some devotees, prayer means visiting a temple in their hometown. Others undertake long pilgrimages, walk barefoot or participate in religious journeys lasting several days or weeks.
His Journey Reminds People of Shravan Kumar
Monu’s reported pilgrimage has drawn comparisons with Shravan Kumar, a figure in Indian tradition remembered for his devotion and service to his parents.
The story of Shravan Kumar has been passed down through generations as an example of filial devotion. It continues to feature in conversations about family responsibility, respect for elders and the importance of caring for parents.
The comparison with Monu comes from the personal promise connected to his mother’s illness and his determination to complete a difficult journey because of it.
For many Indian families, a parent’s illness is an emotionally challenging experience. It can change priorities and encourage people to reflect on their relationships, responsibilities and beliefs.
Monu’s story has attracted interest for this reason. It reminds people that expressions of love for parents can take many forms, including acts of service, emotional support and commitments made during difficult times.
Monu Has Reportedly Covered 8,000 Km and Visited Five Jyotirlingas
Since beginning his pilgrimage in March, Monu has reportedly covered approximately 8,000 kilometres and visited five of the 12 Jyotirlingas.
This leaves seven more temples to visit if he is to complete the goal described in reports.
Monu also shares updates from his journey through his Instagram account, @monu_betaurabala. His posts allow followers to learn about his progress and the places he visits along the way.
However, the exact route, running distances and remaining schedule have not been independently verified in the available information. The reported figures should therefore be understood as estimates rather than confirmed measurements.
Even so, travelling across several states presents a considerable challenge. India’s geography includes mountain roads, plains, coastal regions and areas where temperatures can vary considerably. A journey of this scale requires more than determination; it also calls for attention to safety and physical recovery.
What Are the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva?
The Jyotirlingas are among the most important pilgrimage destinations for devotees of Lord Shiva. The word combines jyoti, meaning light, and linga, a sacred symbol associated with Shiva.
According to Hindu tradition, there are 12 principal Jyotirlingas spread across different parts of India. Each has its own religious significance, local traditions and history.
The 12 traditionally recognised Jyotirlingas are:
- Somnath – Prabhas Patan, Gujarat
- Mallikarjuna – Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh
- Mahakaleshwar – Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
- Omkareshwar – Madhya Pradesh
- Kedarnath – Uttarakhand
- Bhimashankar – Maharashtra
- Kashi Vishwanath – Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
- Trimbakeshwar – Near Nashik, Maharashtra
- Vaidyanath – Commonly associated with Deoghar, Jharkhand
- Nageshwar – Near Dwarka, Gujarat
- Rameshwaram – Tamil Nadu
- Grishneshwar – Near Ellora, Maharashtra
Visiting all 12 involves travelling across several states and covering thousands of kilometres. Some temples are located in busy cities, while others require travel through hilly terrain or remote areas.
Kedarnath, for example, is situated in the Himalayas and requires pilgrims to plan carefully around weather, access and seasonal conditions. Rameshwaram, meanwhile, lies in Tamil Nadu, far from several of the northern pilgrimage destinations.
These differences help explain why completing the full pilgrimage is a major undertaking, even for people using conventional transport.
A Journey of Faith, Family and Determination
Monu Meturbala’s reported journey has attracted attention because it connects three powerful themes in Indian life: devotion to Lord Shiva, love for one’s mother and the determination to honour a personal promise.
His decision to run across India is an unusual way of undertaking a religious pilgrimage, particularly for someone so young. It also highlights the diversity of India’s pilgrimage traditions, where people express their beliefs through everything from short temple visits to long journeys across the country.
At the same time, a journey involving such long daily distances calls for sensible precautions, including adequate rest, hydration, nutrition and road safety.
As Monu continues towards his stated goal, followers will be watching to see whether he completes visits to all 12 Jyotirlingas.
For now, his story serves as a reminder of how a difficult moment in a family can inspire a deeply personal commitment. Whether through prayer, care or a demanding pilgrimage, the meaning of such a promise lies in the intention behind it—and in the determination to honour it.