The Sacred Paduka: A Blessing from Ayodhya Ram

The Sacred Paduka: A Blessing from Ayodhya Ram

This sacred Paduka has been blessed and sent from Ayodhya. It symbolizes the divine connection to Lord Rama and his teachings. The Paduka represents the very same one carried in the historical procession from Chitrakoot, where Bharata met Lord Rama. In that poignant moment, Bharata humbly requested Lord Rama to return to the kingdom. When Lord Rama declined, Bharata, guided by the wisdom of their Kula Guru, recognized the profound spiritual significance of the Paduka. Understanding that it embodied the essence of the divine self—the Brahma—Bharata requested the Paduka to symbolize Lord Rama’s presence.

The Paduka’s Journey: Origins

Paduka journey of Lord Ram in recent times was started by our Gurudev, Jagathguru Swami Sathyananda Saraswathy Thiruvadikal in the year 1991 from Ayodhya to Kanyakumari. Since then such yatras with the same Paduka is being carried over by the Ashram from Kollur Mookambika temple to Sree Rama Dasa Ashram at Thiruvananthapuram every year, culminating on Rama Navami day.

After a very successful Paduka yatra to unite the mobs across India, Shree Ashok Singalji, the then International Secretary General of Vishwa Hindu Parishad took inspiration from Swamiji to repeat many such Paduka yatra’s across the country, as a part of Sree Rama Janma Bhoomi Andolan.   

Sreesakti Shantananda Maharshi continued this Paduka Yatra in the last decade, three times across Bharat and Nepal to establish Rama Rajya! By the culmination of the third Yatra called Digvijay Yatra that lasted 70 days, Rama Janma Bhoomi dispute as well as Kashmir 370 issues were  resolved as predicted.

The Paduka’s Journey: History 

Swamiji had envisioned the need to have a Hanuman Temple in the United States after his very first visit to this country in 1986. Since then he personally supervised the creation of a Hanuman Statue in a blessing posture and declared that this will be the final point of asylum for very large groups of people in the future. Efforts were in progress, off and on, for many years to find a land for a temple for this Hanumanji, whom Swamiji always referred to as a live being, who will interact with the devotees. Finally in the year 2021, right across Meenakshi Temple at Pearland. Since then elaborate monthly Homam/Havan was being conducted at the property, which was attended by many saints as well as respected spiritual leaders. 

During the Havan on Dec 15, 2024, Shree L. S. Venkatesan, also called as “Kamakshi Balan”, an ardent devotee of Jagathguru Sree Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Shankaracharya Mahaswamigal experienced the presence of Lord Ram. Lord Ram communicated through him to obtain a Rama Paduka and carry it across the country, blessing the homes and temples for a year and then to be installed at the temple along with 108 Saligramas. 

When this was communicated, Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, the head of Ayodhya’s largest temple, the Mani Ram Das Ki Chavani, the chief of the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas and Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra,  the head of the Shri Krishna Janmasthan Seva Sansthan, has kindly offered the Rama Paduka which they were carrying in an annual procession from Chitrakoot – the location where Bharata obtained the Paduka from Lord Ram as mentioned in Ramayana, which is now being carried across the United States. 

Paduka yatra will continue only through the year 2025 as it is going to be installed at the Ashram Site at Houston in March 2026. Hence this is a unique opportunity to invite the divinity home when the yatra is in progress. From next year, the only opportunity to see this holy Paduka is by visiting the Paduka temple at Houston. 

Blessings Across Temples and Homes

The Paduka will embark on a nationwide journey, consecrating the temples and homes of devotees with Lord Rama’s presence. It must be welcomed with the same respect and devotion as if Lord Rama himself were entering your home. Traditionally, the head of the family or the most revered member receives the Paduka and places it on a Peetham (an elevated, decorated platform or seat).

Once placed, the ritual begins by offering flowers to lord Ram. For large groups, the 108 names of Lord Rama— known as Shree Rama Ashtothara Shata Namavali is used. It can be seen here in various languages – Hindi, Eng-ISO, Eng-IAST, Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, Malayalam, Guajarati, Oriya, Bengali

Although any flower can be used, red rose petals are most commonly offered. This offering, known as Archana, is followed by Bhog (Naivedyam). Bhog refers to food offerings, with Naivedyam symbolizing food prepared in its purest form, often with ghee. Simple offerings like a banana, other fruits, or Panakam (Panakam Recipe) are also acceptable. The function concludes with an Arati.

Paduka pooja at Residences

Paduka’s can be invited to residences of devotees. For inviting Paduka, please register at the above link. When Paduka yatra gets scheduled for a City / State, people who have already signed up in the above link will be contacted for fine tuning the exact time and date.

Typically Paduka is carried into the residence by a prominent member of the home, designated  as King Bharatha. As Paduka enters the home, the woman of the home welcomes the Paduka by offering Tilak, flowers and Arti. Volunteers will set up the paduka, brief on the history and purpose and will initiate the Pooja, which typically consists of Archana to Paduka, offering Dhoopam, Deepam, Naivedyam and concludes with Arti. At a minimum, a neatly arranged coffee table is required to host the Paduka. It can also be hosted at the home altar. See pictures below.

House holders are encouraged to do their own ways of offering Naivedyam (Bhog) and Arti, making them more comfortable, of course guided by Ashram volunteers. If time permits and hosts willing, various bhajans are done after the pooja and prasadam served.

The Paduka’s visit at each location lasts approximately one hour:

• 15 minutes for preparation and settling in.
• 15 minutes for the Archana to Arati ritual.
• The remaining time for discussions and Q&A.

Paduka returns to the Ashram (17119 McLean Rd, Pearland, TX 77584), near the Meenakshi Temple, for the monthly Havan. Upon completing its nationwide tour, the Paduka will be permanently enshrined at the Ashram, allowing devotees to visit and worship at their convenience. 

Donations

There is no specific cost for inviting Paduka to residences. However house holders are encouraged to offer $516 or above as a dakshina to the Paduka. This amount will be used for the Paduka temple construction. Construction has to start in September 2025, so that it can be completed by February 2026. Dakshnia can be offered to the Paduka during the visit.  Further support opportunities for the temple includes a per brick donation of $101 or $501 per sqft of construction. Each brick used for the Hanuman temple will be with the inscription of RAM as per divine guidance. Click on the donation link for details on donations. 

Signup

Paduka yatra is currently being planned in various segments, with Pearland/Houston as the center. Paduka will keep coming back to Houston every month. Upcoming schedules are listed below. This list gets updated as and when new locations are identified – typically every two weeks.

Segment 15 – June 13-16 – Houston, Austin
Segment 16 – June 29-July 1 – Detroit, Atlanta
Segment 17 – July 9-15 – Austin, Houston, Austin
Segment 18 – Aug 9-11 – Houston
Segment 19 – Aug 30-31 – Toronto
Segment 20 – Sep 13-14 – Dallas, Houston

To request a Paduka Pooja at your residence or a local temple, please use this link for Signup. We will get in touch as the routes get defined, for exact dates.  

Reference Links

A reference set up for Paduka