A pet pooch that disappeared during a religious pilgrimage has been hailed a miracle after finding its way home more than a month later.
Mongrel Maharaj had joined his master in June for the 155-mile journey across western India from his home village in Belagavi to Pandharpur.
But after stopping at a temple to pray, says owner Kamalesh Kumbhar, the pooch disappeared and was never seen again amid the crowds of worshippers.
Friends convinced him that Maharaj had wandered off with the wrong group of devotees.
Kamalesh told local media: “I still searched for him everywhere and I could not find him. So, I thought maybe the people were right, that he left with someone else.
“I returned to my home town on 14th July.”
But the next day (15th July) Kamalesh was astonished when Maharaja turned up safe and sound back at home as if he’d just been out for a stroll.
He said: “Maharaj was standing there in front of my house, wagging his tail as if nothing had happened. He looked well fed and perfectly fine.”
Village elders celebrated Maharaja’s return with a feast, parading him around the village in garlands of flowers.
They said: “It is such a miracle that the dog could find its way, although it was 250km or so away from home.
“We think it was Lord Panduranga who guided him.”
The Hindu deity has a special affinity for followers who are waiting for lost family members.
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Story By: Joseph Golder, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Newsflash
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