Image credit: Instagram / shihabchottur_official
Doha, Qatar: Shihab Chottur, a man from India, embarked on a remarkable adventure to chase his dreams.
Like a character from a superhero tale, Chottur walked approximately 8,650 km in nearly 382 days, all the way from his hometown in Kerala to the holy city of Makkah to perform a special Muslim religious pilgrimage called Hajj.
Setting off on June 2, 2022, Chottur embarked on a journey that took him through various countries including Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, and Kuwait, before finally arriving at his desired destination in Saudi Arabia in June 2023.
He found a temporary shelter at Aafiyah Kids School in Khasa, Amritsar, Punjab.
In February 2023, after obtaining a transit visa, Chottur resumed his journey after a four-month-pause in Pakistan.
Chottur shared some of the difficulties he faced during his adventure. Speaking to Saudi TV channel Al Ekhbariya, the Kerala man said he had “encountered predatory animals in Iran and enduring harsh cold weather.”
Chottur carried food, water, clothes, and wood to light fires during freezing nights.
Despite hardships, Chottur remained determined, walking an average of 15 km per day in cold weather and covering nearly 50 km per day in better conditions.
Upon reaching Saudi Arabia, he increased his daily distance to 60 km to complete the final 440 km from Madinah to Makkah within nine days.
He expressed his happiness and blessings to be able to finally perform Hajj.
Reflecting on his extraordinary journey, Chottur expressed his hope that his story would inspire others.
“With good intentions, you can overcome any challenge and achieve your goals,” he said.
