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, an Ashram in Ayodhya which was doing annual procession from Chitrakoot – the location where Bharata obtained the Paduka from Lord Ram as mentioned in Ramayana, – donated their Paduka, which is now being carried across the United States.
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.
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. Active sign up links for respective segments can be seen below.
Segment 1 – Jan 8 – 12 – Austin – Houston
Segment 2 – Jan 15 – 26 – Northwest / Seattle
Segment 3 – Feb 8 – 14 – By Road from Chicago to Houston covering IA, KS, AR, Dallas
Segment 4 – Feb 18 – 20 – Los Angeles area
Segment 5 – Feb 22 – 26 – Connecticut / NJ / NY area
Segment 6 – Feb 28 – Mar 2 – Dallas
Segment 7 – Mar 3 – Mar 12 – Houston
Segment 8 – Mar 13 – Mar 18 – Chicago
Segment 9 – April 11 – 12 – Dallas
Segment 10 – April 19-20 – Chicago
Segment 11 – April 25-29 – Dubai
Segment 12 – May 1-11 – India
For all future events, please use this link for Signup. We will get in touch as the routes get defined, for exact dates.
Schedule and Final Installation
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.
After each visit, the 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.