Vaikasi Visakam is observed in the Tamil month of Vaikasi when the Vishakha Nakshatra is in effect. This sacred day marks the birth of Lord Murugan. Devotees celebrate by visiting temples, participating in processions, and performing abhishekam - ritual offerings such as milk poured over the deity - as an expression of devotion.

Continuing our cherished tradition from back home, Concord Shiva Murugan Temple is organizing a walk (pilgrimage) to the temple to celebrate Vaikasi Visakam. This year’s route is a shorter 8-mile walk, starting from Pleasant Hill BART Station, Walnut Creek, CA.

Yes. You have to be registered to participate in the walk. At the starting point, you will need to check-in with volunteers and get a wristband that will identify you as an official walker. Food on the trail and the return shuttle REQUIRE a wrist band.

Yes, there is a nominal fee to register. The money is used entirely for trail, city approval, shuttle and security related expenses. Children under 12 years of age, no need to register or pay for the participation.

You can send an email to concordtemplewalk@temple.org

The Vaikasi Visakam walk, along with our local government partners, consider the safety of the walkers as the top most priority and hence have a limit. The registration site does not maintain a waitlist but is dynamic and will open up slots if and when people cancel. Please continue to monitor the site periodically.

Yes, the walk is open to all. Participation is voluntary and organizers are not responsible for individuals. However a registration and wrist band is required for food along the trail and the shuttle back from the temple.

Yes, anyone older than 12 years old will need a ticket to enter the walk.

Yes, that will open up slots for others who are waiting to register. We would appreciate you making room for others. Right now we don’t refund for cancellations. .

The starting point will be in Pleasant Hill. And NOT Heather Farms like in previous years.

For the Vaikasi VIsakam, we only have a short walk. There is no long walk organized for this time.

Given the overwhelming support and number of walkers we are seeing, in order to maintain trail safety the walks have been split to two different dates.

The walk is approximately 7.5 miles from Pleasant Hill BART Station, CA to Concord, CA and could take around 2-3/4 hours. Your walk time may vary with the pace, breaks that you take.

Yes. Refer to the map here.

Please try your best to adhere to the time range you are registered for. There are a number of trail safety and logistics that are designed with a start time in mind. Check-in will close at 10am at Pleasant Hill.

Mostly. We will be using upper floors of  the Pleasant Hill BART station parking structure. We would strongly recommend that you carpool if you can. Our volunteers will assist in the parking wherever possible.

There is going to be extremely limited parking available around the temple area. We strongly encourage you to take the shuttle, or arrange for your own ride or take an Uber/Lyft  back, if you can. Additional parking instructions include, No overnight parking either on 2nd or 3rd street the night before the walk.  2nd street will be closed with support from the city on the day of the walk. No Parking in the bank parking Lot on Saturdays & week Days  before 6pm.

Of course. But please keep in mind there will be traffic restrictions around the temple area on walk day and you may need to coordinate a nearby alternate pick up point. For personal pickups or rideshare (Uber,Lyft) please use the following address: 2830 Euclid Ave, Concord 94519

 Note: Uber/Lyft will be at your own expense

We highly encourage taking the bart back to Pleasant Hill Bart from Concord Bart that is only 0.6 miles from the temple. Concord bart address: 1451 Oakland Ave, Concord 94520. There will be shuttles running periodically from the temple area back to Pleasant Hill start point throughout the event from the time the first walkers arrive till 3pm. The shuttles will keep moving as they fill up to keep wait times to a minimum. You need to have a wristband for the shuttle.

Your safety is our top concern. Flag one of the volunteers to get assistance. At specific intersections our van patrol can pick you up and drive you to the temple if you are unable to walk. You may have to wait some time for that. At every food/snack station we will have a doctor and first aid available. IF THERE IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY ALWAYS CALL 911.

We will have a refreshment station and water along the trail to keep you well energized. But please feel free to carry some water and snacks with you if you want to have something before the refreshment station. To keep plastics to a minimum we will not have water bottles but will have refills for your water bottles. 

The registration is required only for the food on the trail and the shuttle back to your starting point since the logistics are very involved. Meals at the temple are open to all and do not need a registration

There will be porta potties in a couple of locations along the trail. Please DO NOT use bathrooms at businesses along the trail. They can get overwhelmed with the crowds.

The walk will continue as planned even if it rains. But please exercise caution and come prepared with rain protection, if there is a prediction for rain on walk day. It is no fun to be walking wet!

Good and comfortable footwear. Ideally closed toe athletic shoes with good socks. 
Layered clothing since temperature can change throughout the day. 
If there is rain in the forecast, please come prepared with some rain protection. 
Sunscreen and hat/cap to avoid long sun exposure 
With recent rains, it is possible there is pollen. If you have allergies, take/bring medication 
Chafing is a very common injury during long walks. Here are some ideas to avoid it. 

The soles of our feet, being protected for years with shoes, are not as tough as you may imagine. Every year, we see a few people attempting to walk barefoot and suffer through blisters caused by the sandpaper-like surface of the asphalt paved trails. Unless you have a lot of experience walking long distances barefoot on rough surfaces, please wear good footwear.

Yes, the trail is generally flat and stroller friendly. But keep in mind the fatigue in pushing and kids’ experience being tied up over a long distance and time. Also please make sure the strollers are well foldable for the ride back on the shuttles.

First off, this is a Vaikasi Visakam walk :-) But please refer to the East Bay Parks District website rules section 902 for use of any powered transport devices.

Over the next few days, it will be important to condition yourself for long walking. It can be hard to just get up on the day and walk 7.5 miles all of a sudden. We would recommend slowly walking longer distances over the next several days. Rest well, hydrate yourself and have healthy and good meals the day before the walk.

During the walk, hydrate yourself well and protect from sun, the cold weather & allergies. Take rest if you feel tired and ask for help whenever needed.

Pujas will be performed throughout the day. You can have a darshan and offer prayers.

There will be breakfast and lunch served near the temple on the 3rd street lot

Shuttles for registered walkers will be available to take you to the starting point. You need to be registered to take the shuttle back.

Thank you for making your time available. We are always in need of volunteers. Please sign up here.

We appreciate your contributions. Click here to sponsor the walk.

Keeping the walkers energized is a priority and is a nice service. We thank you for your assistance. Please use this form to let us know and our team will reach out to you with the details.

Yes, of course. The temple will be open to all devotees on walkday, whether you are coming from the Vaikasi Visakam walk or directly to the temple. Please be advised that you may experience larger than usual crowds and longer wait times for darshan. Parking may be very limited around the temple area as well. So, please plan accordingly.

It is also possible that walkers will have priority to enter the temple and you may have to wait a bit to make room for them.

The walk happens on a public trail that has other users and runs adjacent to homes practically throughout. Keeping that in mind, please exercise your best judgment in any activity that may impact other trail users or trail neighbors. Generally singing and dancing should be ok if it doesn’t cause disturbance to anyone in the vicinity.