An animal lover has embarked on an incredible 12,000-mile cycling challenge to perform “last rites” for animals killed on the roads.
Padma Sandesh Gupta plans to visit 17 sacred shrines during the year-long feat to raise awareness of the plight of stray dogs and other creatures frequently killed by passing vehicles.
In the past, Sandesh has given the stricken animals their final send-off, and has even arranged for them to be buried.
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The Indian cyclist has previously asked his social media following to contribute just one rupee, which is less than a Sterling penny, towards the cost of burying them.
His expedition is expected to take around a year to complete, with the cyclist hoping to spread a message of compassion and responsibility to communities across the country.
During the trip, he plans to visit 17 sacred Hindu shrines known as Shakti Peethas.
Sandesh set off on his latest adventure in September after offering prayers at a local temple, as reported by Need To Know.
His planned route will take him across several Indian states, including Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Bihar and Assam, as well as the northern territory of Kashmir.
But this is far from his first long-distance cycling challenge.
Sandesh has already travelled thousands of miles across India campaigning for better treatment of animals.
In 2021, he cycled more than 1,500 miles from Mancherial to the holy city of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, completing the journey in 39 days.
He also undertook a separate 4,000km (2,500 miles) expedition to Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu later that year, with both trips aimed at highlighting animals killed on national highways.
The following year, he completed a 14,000km (8,700-mile) journey across 13 states, visiting nine Jyotirlingas – sacred shrines dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.
He also founded Friends Animal Trust, a voluntary organisation in his hometown of Mancherial, which works to feed monkeys around local temples and support animal welfare initiatives.
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