When his mother fell seriously ill, Bihar’s Monu Meturbala prayed for her recovery and made a promise to Lord Shiva; today, the 19-year-old is running thousands of kilometres to visit 12 Jyotirlingas

Monu Meturbala with his mother (Instgram)

When his mother fell seriously ill, Monu Meturbala turned to faith in Lord Shiva. He asked for a wish that came straight from his heart. He asked nothing else but his mother’s recovery. He also made a promise that if she got better, he would run across the country to seek blessings from all 12 Jyotirlingas. Monu is sharing his running journey on his Instagram profile (@monu_betaurabala). One of the videos shows an MLA from Maharashtra joining him. His sojourn has also gained lot of media traction.Let’s find out more:Monu Metrubala’s promise

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Monu Meturbala at Jyotirlinga (Instagram)

Meet Monu, a 19-year-old young man from Bihar’s Araria district. It was a promise made in a moment of fear, when the thought of losing his mother. When her health improved, Monu decided it was time to keep his word to Mahadev. But his promise was running to all the Jyotirlinga temples, rather than comfortably travelling by train or bus. The young boy is set out to cover long distances on foot, running towards sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva.His journey has since drawn attention on social media.Love for his motherAccording to media reports, Monu’s mother had been seriously ill when he made the promise. In that difficult period, he promised to visit the 12 Jyotirlingas if his mother recovered. When her condition improved, Monu did not allow the promise to fade with the passing of the crisis.His story is a perfect example of mother-son love and dedication for each other. For a son watching his mother struggle with illness, the prospect of losing her can make everything else seem insignificant. For Monu, the promise was a way of expressing gratitude to the lord.Running nearly 50 km a day for Lord ShivaMonu began his journey on March 15, 2026. As per reports, he had covered approximately 8,000 kilometres and visited five of the 12 Jyotirlingas. He runs nearly 50 kilometres a day.His first visit was Baba Baidyanath Dham in Jharkhand, also known for its healing energy.His sacred journey took him to shrines in Maharashtra. For Monu, each kilometre carries a meaning beyond the distance covered and every stretch of road brings him closer to another shrine.His journey is still going and the remaining Jyotirlingas represent not merely destinations on a map, but commitments he has yet to complete.Comparison with Shravan KumarA number of people have also compared his story with Shravan Kumar, the legendary figure in Indian tradition remembered for his devotion to his parents. Yet, beyond the praise and attention, a journey of this scale is bound to have difficult moments. Long stretches on the road, physical exhaustion and the uncertainty of travelling across unfamiliar places can test even the most determined traveller.The 12 Jyotirlingas of IndiaIn Hindu tradition, the 12 Jyotirlingas are among the most sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva which are dotted across different parts of India.The 12 shrines include:

For some devotees, such a journey is an expression of gratitude. For others, it represents a personal vow, a search for peace or a way of reconnecting with their spiritual beliefs.A son’s love that goes beyond wordsIt is easy to measure Monu’s journey in kilometres, temples visited and miles yet to run. But numbers alone cannot explain why a 19-year-old would choose such a demanding way to fulfil a promise.For many people, love is expressed through everyday gestures: a phone call, a helping hand, a quiet act of care or simply being present when someone needs them. Monu has chosen an extraordinary expression of that same emotion.His journey is not just about reaching 12 temples. It is about remembering a promise made when someone he loves needed hope.