THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A grand reception was accorded to Bharat Jodo Yatra, which started on September 7 from Kanya Kumari under the leadership of Congress former chief Rahul Ghandi. Shashi Tharoor MP, opposition leader V D Satheesan, KPCC chief K Sudhakaran, senior leaders Oommen Chandy, Ramesh Chennithala and others were at Parashala to receive Rahul Gandhi.

The yatra started after offering floral tributes at Kamaraj statue. The slogan of the Yatra is 'Unifying Steps, One Nation'. A group of 300 people will march with Rahul Gandhi. Later in the afternoon, the yatra will turn into a Congress show of strength. Leaders and activists have prepared a grand reception for Rahul Gandhi.

The padayatra will take 19 days to pass through Kerala. The padayatra will reach Madhavi Mandir (Dr G R Public School), the residence of freedom fighter G Ramachandran at Ooruttukala in Neyyattinkara at 10.30 am. Then will visit Gandhi Museum at Madhavi Mandir and interact with traditional weavers. From there will reach Nemom and conclude. The team will rest at Vellayani Agriculture College courtyard in the night.

The yatra will start from Nemom at 7 am on September 12 and reach St Mary's school yard at Pattom at 10.30 am. The yatra will continue from there at 4 pm. The yatra will conclude on the grounds of Al Saj in Kazhakootttam at 7 pm.

On September 13, it will leave Kazhakoottam at 7 am and reach Mamom at 10.30 am. Will rest in Puja Auditorium. The padayatra, which continues at 4 pm, will end at Kallambalam at 7 pm.

On September 14, it will start at 7 am and reach the district border in Kadambattukonam at 10 am. A reception will be accorded to them by the Kollam District Welcome Committee. The yatra will be in Thiruvananthapuram till September 14.

The padayatra passes through Kollam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram. Will enter Karnataka via Malappuram. 118 regular travellers will accompany him till Kashmir. The yatra will cover 12 states and two union territories, and a distance of 3,750 km from Kanya Kumari in Tamil Nadu to Jammu and Kashmir over a period of 150 days.