Karthik Joshi, a 22-year-old ultra marathoner from Indore, has set off on a remarkable 1,008-kilometer run from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, to Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh. The run is timed to reach Ayodhya for the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple on January 22. Departing on Friday with chants of 'Jai Jai Siya Ram,' Joshi was bid farewell by Madhya Pradesh Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya and Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav, who waved saffron flags.

Joshi, accompanied by seven individuals in various vehicles and an ambulance, aims to cover 72 km daily to complete the marathon in 14 days. Despite the actual road distance being around 945 km, Joshi chose to cover 1,008 km, considering the auspiciousness of the number 1,008 in Sanatan Hindu culture.

Expressing the spiritual significance of his journey, Joshi stated, "The objective behind my run is to send out a message to young people that they should follow the path shown by Lord Ram with patience and restraint."