One day a few of his friends approached Pakkanar
that they wish to go on a pilgrimage to Kasi and The River Ganges and they
requested his blessings by his company. Pakkanar told them that it is not
possible for him to accompany them due to ill health and that his blessings
will be always with them. He then entrusted his walking stick with one
among them with a request to dip it also in the River Ganges while they
take a dip in it. They went on pilgrimage with Pakkanar's walking stick.
They reached The River Ganges. When they tried to dip the walking stick
in the river the current in the water became so strong that the stick drifted
away. When all their efforts to recover the stick failed they returned
home without Pakkanar’s walking stick.
They came to Pakkanar and explained to him what has happened and requested to pardon them for their carelessness. Pakkanar told them why should they feel sorry as it is not their fault and sometimes the under current in The River Ganges is very strong. So saying he took them to the small rivulet flowing near by. Pakkanar stepped into the water and dipped his hands into it. When he pulled out his hands, to the great surprise of all, his walking stick appeared in his hand. Pakkanar told them that there is nothing for surprise; the water in The Holy River Ganges and that in the rivulet on their village, are one and the same.