64-year-old man embarks on padayatra carrying gold-plated footwear for Ram Temple ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony

A 64-year-old resident of Hyderabad has undertaken a remarkable journey, covering a distance of 7,200 kilometers on foot to Ayodhya. Carrying gold-plated Khadaun ‘charan paduka’ (footwear), Challa Srinivas Sastry aims to present it during the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony of the Ram Temple on January 22. Reflecting Lord Rama’s exile journey, he is retracing the Ayodhya-Rameswaram route, intending to reach Ayodhya on January 15.

In his own words, Sastry shared, “I have made this ‘charan paduka’ using 8 kg silver and got it coated with gold…I am walking on the route that Lord Ram took from Ayodhya to Rameshwar. My target is to reach Ayodhya on January 15th.” He plans to hand over the ‘charan paduka’ to Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath on January 16th.

Expressing his excitement about visiting Ayodhya ahead of the temple ceremony, Sastry commenced his journey on July 20, following the reverse route and making stops at Shiva Lingas established by Lord Ram along the way.

The preparations for the Ram Temple inauguration on January 22 are in full swing, anticipating the attendance of dignitaries and people from diverse backgrounds. The ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony, spanning seven days starting from January 16, will culminate on January 22, with Prime Minister Modi presiding over the consecration of Ram Lala’s idol in ‘Mrigashira Nakshatra’ during the afternoon puja.

The birthplace of Lord Ram, Ayodhya, holds immense spiritual, historical, and cultural significance for the people. The Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirath Kshetra Trust has extended invitations to 4,000 saints for the ceremony, emphasizing the grandeur of the occasion.