Arba'een Walk

Outside the shrine of Abbas, Karbala

Arba'een Walk doesn’t need any introduction or tips. Millions of Shia Muslims come from all over the world to embark the journey from Najaf to Karbala. Many of them also come to serve the pilgrims with food, water, drinks and much more. I have met almost all kinds of people during my walk last year - Old, young, kids, with babies, big, fat, small, thin, people with 1 leg, no legs , with shoes, slippers, no slippers, healthy and unhealthy. Anybody who starts the journey with the first step in the name of Hussain is going to complete the journey. Sooner or later everyone makes it.

However I have just shared some points/mistakes from my past experience, just to help you prepare better and be informed. The below information is based on my personal analysis which may or may not suit your style/body.

v  Travel/Walk light

Food, water and tea will be served throughout along with Rest Camps with toilets. I would recommend the following:

1. Very small plastic water bottle
2. Handful of dry fruits
3. Dry papdi 
4. A piece or 2 of mithai
5. We also made some burji sandwiches from faiz while having breakfast and had it through the day while walking (you’re not likely to find anything more tasty than that).
6. Thin masallah
7. Small towel
8. Small toothpaste and toothbrush
9. Extra pair of undergarments and socks (if Hygiene is your thing).
10. Sweater or Jacket/hand gloves if you're going to walk through the night or early mornings.

You'll need to carry this bag-pack for 30 hrs. or more, so it's in your best interest to keep it light. If you’re a couple - carry just one bag-pack so you can share the load all the time. (Ideally the husband will have to take the load most of the time; So be warned)

There are trolleys available along the way that you can buy to make your bag-pack a trolley bag. However, my recommendation is not to carry more weight that requires a trolley. Anything extra that you carry is most likely to slow/wear you down. Reserving some energy towards the end of your journey is crucial.

v  Medicine

Along with your normal subscriptions you may have, the following medicine should be handy:

1. Combiflame
2. Panadol
3. Moov
4. Sunscreen
5. Moisturizer

v  The Road

There is a separate path for walkers along the main road. The road is clean and solid for most of the part with some patches of dirt road along the way.

v  Food

Health is going to be the key for you to be able to walk with ease. 

Avoid any cold drinks/sharbat that can give you viral infection before and after the walk (I ate some extra ice cream with joy after my walk and was lying in bed with fever for 2 days). People who have digestion problems/loose motions should take extra care.

v  Clothes 

Dry fits are best for the occasion. To keep you dry and comfortable.

v  Shoes/Crocs

I always recommend a good pair of Sport Shoes over Crocs/Slippers/Sandals.

The shoes doesn't need to be new or high-tech. A comfortable pair of sport shoes that you'r already using is also good enough. However, I strongly believe in wearing your perfect size; not a size more or less.

v  Luggage Bags 

Trolley bags are recommended as the Bus doesn't always stop near the faiz due to road blockage/traffic and you often have to carry your own luggage from bus to faiz and vice versa.

v  Mobile Apps 

If you would like to log your activity online during the walk, Strava along with Relive would be perfect for the job.

FAQs

Q. What is the best time to Walk?
A. While there is no fixed formula to this. I personally found the early morning walk pleasant and quiet.

Q. What did you wear for the walk?
A. I had worn a running short + dry fit baniyan inside my kurti izaar.

All the Best!