Ancient footware of Bharata

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ANCIENT FOOTWARE of BHARATA
Disha Gopal
Masters in Fashion Management, NIFT, New Delhi,India
B.A.Economics (Hons) Punjab University
Category Manager-Brand ADDIDAS

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When Ravana abducted Sita, she threw her jewelery to create a trail on
the ground so Lord Ram would follow it. When Lord Ram found it, He
showed it to his brother Lakshmana.
He showed the ring, the bracelet, the necklace but Lakshmana did not
recognize any of it But when He showed Him the Nupur of the Feet,
Lakshmana recognized it immediately. Lakshmana said I have never
looked at Mother Sita all my life. I have only looked at Her Lotus Feet
……… .and that is why He only recognized the Nupur.
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Shri Paduka Stotrum
Anantha samsara samudhra thara naukayithabhyamguru bhakthithabhyam,
Vairagya samrajyadha poojanabhyam, namo nama sri guru padukhabyam.1
Kavithva varasini sagarabhyam, dourbhagya davambudha malikabhyam,
Dhoorikrutha namra vipathithabhyam, namo nama sri guru padukhabyam. 2
Natha yayo sripatitam samiyu kadachidapyasu daridra varya,
Mookascha vachaspathitham hithabhyam ,namo nama sri guru padukhabyam.3
Naleeka neekasa pada hrithabhyam, nana vimohadhi nivarikabyam,
Nama janabheeshtathathi pradhabhyam namo nama sri guru padukhabyam. 4
Nrupali mouleebraja rathna kanthi sariddha raja jjashakanyakabhyam,
Nrupadvadhabhyamnathaloka pankhthe, namo nama sri guru padukhabyam. 5
Papandhakara arka paramparabhyam, thapathryaheendra khageswarabhyam,
Jadyadhi samsoshana vadaveebhyam namo nama sri guru padukhabyam.6
Shamadhi shatka pradha vaibhavabhyam,Samadhi dhana vratha deeksithabhyam,
Ramadhavadeegra sthirha bhakthidabhyam, namo nama sri guru padukhabyam.7
Swarchaparana makhileshtathabhyam, swaha sahayaksha durndarabhyam,
Swanthachad bhava pradha poojanabhyam, namo nama sri guru padukhabyam. 8
Kaamadhi sarpa vraja garudabhyam, viveka vairagya nidhi pradhabhyam,
Bhodha pradhabhyam drutha mokshathabhyam, namo nama sri guru padukhabyam. 9
Barefoot is the most common term for the state of not wearing any footwear. Wearing footwear
is an exclusively human characteristic, however some animals held by humans are also issued with
footwear, such as horses and, more rarely, dogs and cats. There are health benefits and some risks
associated with going barefoot. Footwear provides protection from cuts, abrasions, bruises, and
impacts from objects on the ground or the ground texture itself, as well as from frost or heat burns,
and parasites. However, shoes can limit the flexibility, strength, and mobility of the foot . Walking
and running barefoot results in a more natural gait, allowing for a more rocking motion of the foot,
eliminating the hard heel strike and therefore generating less collision force in the foot and lower
leg.
People in ancient times, such as the Egyptians, Hindus, and Greeks often went barefoot, as the
inhabited terrain mostly mandated no practical necessity for footwear.The Egyptians and Hindus
made some use of ornamental footwear, such as a soleless sandal known as a now called
Cleopatra, which did not provide any practical protection for the foot. Athletes in the Ancient
Olympic Games participated barefoot and generally unclothed. Even the gods and heroes were

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primarily depicted barefoot. In fact most of the artists right from the early 1900’s drew Hindu Gods
as barefoot
In most religions, the exposure of bare feet is regarded as a sign of humility and subjection. Foot
washing, or ceremonial washing of others' feet, is associated with humility in Hinduism. In Indian
culture, in many an instance, being barefoot has a cultural significance. For example, it is
customary to remove footwear when entering a home or a temple so as shoes are considered
impure. Indians also traditionally sit on the floor when eating meals as opposed to at a dining table,
which would normally entail taking off footwear.
Fashion in Ancient India: History would like us o believe that Fashion is something the west
introduced in India.Fashion was not introduced after the landing of Vasco da Gama in 1498.

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The sculptures in the Konark Temple, dedicated to Sun God (750AD has sculptures of women
wearing High heeled shoes, carrying portable mirrors and wearing even see through skirts!
Classics belonging to Tamil Sangam period detail the procedure for make- up of women, even to
the extent of the process of preparing eyeliner. Sanskrit Literature too talks about the makeup used
by women of ancient India and the Kama Sutra of Vatsyayana talks in detail the makeup used by
prostitutes !
Tamil women did not wear upper garment in the ancient days.But they wore a strip of cloth, tied
by a string to cover their upper torso, which resembles a Bra.
Have you ever seen a 750 year old sculpture in an Indian temple carved wearing high heels? One
of the most surprising sculptures I’ve ever seen is from Konark Sun Temple in Odisha which was
built at least 750 years ago. You can see here that this beautiful woman is carved with high heels
on both her legs.
This is absolutely incredible, because European women started to wear high heels or platform
shoes for beauty only after 1600 A.D. And this temple was built around 1250 A.D which is 350
years before that time. People from around the world have worn platform shoes for different
purposes like horse riding etc., but you can see that this woman is just wearing this to look beautiful
while posing for the sculptor.These resemble modern day high heels and it is almost an exact
match. This is not the only carving in this temple and you can see a few others where the women
are proudly showing off their high-heeled footwear.
Ancient Indian women were very advanced in terms of fashion? I would say yes, because you can
also see quite a few sculptures where the women are shown looking at their personal hand-held
mirrors. Again, remember that we are looking at a temple that was built 750 years ago and women
must had had personal mirrors in every household at that time. Compare this with a modern day
woman who carries a small mirror in her purse. These gadgets are perceived as European
inventions but from these carvings, it is quite possible that Indian women also carried portable
mirrors many centuries ago. There are many such sculptures of Indian women getting dolled up
all over India, so it is fair to say that they focused on their beauty a lot.

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Ancient sculptures show various degrees of transparency in their clothes. For example, this
sculpture only partially shows through her legs which implies that a variety of clothes were
designed at that time. Ancient Indian women probably spent a lot of time primping and thinking
about fashion just like modern day women.
Shoe Trivia: In ancient India, there was no concept of shoe or slippers. The existing wooden
footwear Paduka was also called the "Khadau" or "Charan Paduka". Saints and sages used to wear
it because, it is believed, they already knew the concept of electric currents in the body and earth's
gravity which absorbed all the constantly flowing waves. This reduced our biological potency. The
saints also seemed to know that wood was a bad conductor of electricity hence chose it to fashion
their Khadaus. The Paduka is India's oldest, most quintessential footwear. It is little more than a
sole with a post and knob, which is engaged between the big and second toe. It has been
historically worn in South Asia and Southeast Asia as well.
It exists in a variety of forms and materials throughout India. They might be made in the shape of
actual feet, or of fish, for example, and are made of wood, ivory and even silver. They are
sometimes elaborately decorated. The more elaborate shoes could be part of a bride's trousseau,
but could also be given as religious offerings or be themselves the object of veneration. Although
simple wooden padukas could be worn by common people, padukas of fine teak, ebony and
sandalwood, inlaid with ivory or wire, were a mark of the wearer's high status. Today, paduka as
footwear is generally worn by mendicants and saints of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Its
significance in Hinduism is linked to the epic Ramayana. "Paduka" can also refer to the footprints
of deities and saints that are venerated.
Paduka also means the footprints of divine figures such as Vishnu and Shiva and other religious
icons that are worshipped in this symbolic form in houses and also in temples built for this purpose.
One such temple is the Vishnupad Mandir in Gaya, India. Similarly, Buddha footprints are
worshipped under the Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya.
It is also the royal symbol in Malaysia; "Seri Paduka" denotes "His Majesty", which is a title
bestowed as an honour of recognition to the dignitaries of Malaysian court for their outstanding
contribution to the betterment of their State.

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Spiked wooden Paduka of late 19th Century (Source: shoesornoshoes.com)
Some masochistic Hindu ascetics wore spiked paduka for inflicting pain on themselves as an aid
to performing penance.
One of the many popular post wedding ceremonies which are followed by hindus is related with
how the bride is going to put her first feet inside the groom home. when the bride enters the groom
house first time then she gently pushes the glass (or pot) filled with rice. it is done with her right
feet in such a way that rice is pushed inside the house.
it is believed that bride is the laxmi (goddess of wealth and prosperity) of the house. she is going
to manage the house affairs. in many families, the mother in law hand over the charge of house
as well as its finances.

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hindus believe that every person brings its own destiny. it is commonly believed that some feet
bring fortune in the house and some feet are so inauspicious that when such a person enters the
house then slowly the fortune of the family start falling down.
so this custom is done to signify that bride has come to your home in the form of laxmi and she
will bring wealth, fortune and prosperity in the house. this is because in hindu belief system, pot
(or glass) filled with rice is a symbol of prosperity. the pot is completely filled which shows that
there is abundance in the house and rice is used in many auspicious occasions. so when the bride
pushes the pot completely filled with rice with her right foot (not left foot) inside the home then it
signifies that she will bring prosperity and fortune in the home.
There is one more similar custom followed by many families.The bride is made to dip both her
feet in a big tray (preferably silver) containing solution of vermillion (red kumkum) and water.
then she enter inside the house by putting her right foot first. her footprints (first 7 steps) are
imprinted across the home as she walks. this also signifies that the goddess laxmi has entered inside
the home bringing prosperity and fortune to the groom family.
At the entrance of most hindu homes, you can see pair of feet on either side of door. these feet are
pointed towards the entry of house (incoming) and put during the grih parvesh pooja (first house
warming ceremony). they represent goddess laxmi feet and signify that goddess laxmi has come
to your house during the grih parvesh pooja and will bless you with fortune and prosperity. one
can buy these goddess laxmi feet from any shop selling pooja material for around 20 rupees.

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another important thing about hindu rituals is that right hand is used while performing them. as
all the auspicious work are done with the right hand and not with
left hand. thus during such ceremonies or grih parvesh ceremony, always put your right foot first.

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Married Hindu women wear silver toe rings: Married Hindu women wear many types of
jewelries-most of the time it is worn for fashion or for looking beautiful, but at times it has a
significance and health benefits also. Wearing silver toe rings is one such case.
In ancient times, 6000 years ago, it was found that wearing silver toe rings is good for women
health. it is believed that the nerve from the 2nd toe connects the uterus and passes to the heart. so
wearing silver toe rings on second toe strengthens the uterus and also helps in regularizing the
menstrual cycle.As a custom when a girl is getting married, she is made to wear silver toe rings on
second toe. They are worn in pair, so if a women in india is wearing toe rings then its a sign that
she is married.
There is a incident in ancient hindu epic Ramayana about toe ring mentioned earlier; when Sita
is abducted by demon king Ravana, she threw her toe rings and other jewellery on the way to
leave a trail. When the jewellery is found while searching for Sita, Lakshmana recognized the toe
rings as he used to touch Sita’s feet every morning
1. Normally silver metal is used for making toe rings Gold rings may also be worn but silver is
cheaper or it could be because no one wants to wear gold below their feet as it will be considered
disrespecting goddess Lakshmi who brings wealth and prosperity in the life.
2. silver toe rings is always worn on second toe and is always worn in pair. People avoid wearing
them only on one foot as it might create imbalance.
3. it is called bichwa or bichiya (pronounced: bee-chee-ya) in hindi, minji in malayalam, jodavi in
marathi, mettelu in telugu, metti/kanaiyazhi in tamil and kaalungura in kannada. so its almost worn
all over india. Some minor adjustment might be needed while wearing it in the first few days.

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Lotus at the feet: There is the legand of Sita in South East Asian Culture. Sita proves her purity
by undergoing a fire ordeal, as seen in a mural detail at the Emerald Buddha Temple. Sita stands
calmly in a gated area with flames burning around the lotus blossom platform on which she stands.
One of the monkey kings lights the fire with a torch in front, while other monkey king spectators
are visible at right.
After being separated from Sita for many years during her capture by Ravana, Rama is unsure of
his wife’s fidelity. In order to prove that she has been faithful, Sita willingly undergoes an ordeal,
or trial by fire.
In ancient South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Europe (not to mention colonial America), it was
thought that the innocence of an accused criminal could be proven if they survived some kind of
extreme physical punishment such as burning or drowning. In some versions of the Ramayana, it
is said that lotus flowers sprouted at Sita’s feet to protect her from the fire, or that not a flower
petal in her hair was faded by the fire because the gods, who knew she was pure of heart,
protected her completely.
On the way, stop in at the Lumbini Park, the Queen gave birth to Prince Siddhartha. When
the gods picked and washed finalized for Prince, he walked seven steps and each step below
a lotus flower blooming. Meanwhile, Prince put his hand to the sky saying: "Divine galaxy,
only fall as an independent."
That statement translates as: In the sky under the sun, only one is precious. Buddha's life
shows him who is the most precious in human beings

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In contemporary Southeast Asian fiction, the story of Rama and Sita is often retold to highlight a
double standard for men versus women: that women are supposed to prove their faithfulness to
men, but the behavior of absent men is never questioned. Some contemporary Southeast Asian
women dislike the character of Rama, seeing him less as a hero whose valor should be modelled

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by men today than an old-fashioned man who did not treat his innocent wife properly when she
returned to him.
Rare picture showing entry of Rama into Ayodhya wearing footwear, but not padukas

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Narasimha (left) and Krishna( right)
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It is probable that prehistoric humans thought of decorating the body before they thought of
making use of anything that could suggest clothing. Before precious metals were discovered,
people who lived along the seashore decorated themselves with a great variety of shells, fishbones,
fish teeth, and coloured pebbles. People who lived inland used as ornaments materials from the
animals they had killed for food: reindeer antlers, mammoth tusks, and all kinds of animal bones.
After they had been transformed from their natural state into various elaborate forms, these
materials, together with animal skins and bird feathers, provided sufficient decoration.
This era was followed by one that saw a transition from a nomadic life to a settled social order and
the subsequent birth of the most ancient civilizations. Most peoples settled along the banks of large
rivers, which facilitated the development of agriculture and animal husbandry. Indirectly, this also

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led to the discovery of virginal alluvial deposits of minerals, first among which were gold and
precious stones.
Jewellery has always occupied an important place in the social and cultural life of India. Initially
men and women used natural material for beautification of the body like leaves and flowers
followed by beads using other type of material. In course of time, metals like gold as used to
make ornaments which continues to this day.
The figure of the bronze dancing girl found at Mohenjodaro, one of the Indus valley sites depicts
her wearing necklaces and a number of bangles. Gold, silver and ivory, copper, bone, shell and
terracotta have all been used to make ornaments. Excavations at Harappa and Mohenjodaro yielded
variety of beads which were strung together and worn as armlets, bracelets, necklaces and girdles.
Vedic texts make enough references to jewellery and its use to decorate the body. The Ramayana
and Mahabharata, India’s great epics describe jewellery elaborately. When Sita daughter of King
Janaka gets married to Lord Rama, she is bedecked with ear ornaments, nose
ornament, chandrahaarchudamani is
believed to have been given to her father by Kubera, the God of wealth himself. Lord Rama wears
pearls on his crown, and as ear-rings and around his neck. Yudhistira loses a rare pearl during his
gambling game with the Kauravas in the Mahabharata.
Buddhist and Jaina literature mention ornaments. The Jataka tales mention jewellery including
those worn by elephants and horses. The Kalpasutras, Jaina texts describe different ornaments.
In ancient India, following the Indus valley times and the Vedic era, the ascendancy of the
Mauryan dynasty unified the Indian subcontinent. Trade routes opened and rare and new gems
came to India. The Arthshastra written in 3rd century B.C by Kautilya describes jewellery types.
Jewellery was worn both by men and women. The yakshi from Didargunj, Patna wears a
headband, a pendant, girdle on her waist and anklets. Terracotta figures from this age also depict
jewellery. Bharhut, Sanchi, Bodhgaya and Amaravati are attributed to the Sunga and Satavahana
phase of Indian history. Their art reveals a variety of ornaments used on
head,ears,neck,arms,waist and feet. Motifs were drawn from nature or religion. Short necklaces
were called Kanthi and in case it had a large pearl as a centre-piece it was called sirshak. A

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necklace having alternate gold and pearl beads was called Apavartika. Ratnavali
having many gems, pearls and gold beads. Shankhavalayas were made of conch,
ratnavalayasjalavalayas were bracelets with
perforations. Mekhala,Kanchi,rasana and sarasana were different type of girdles. Various names
have been assigned to anklets such as manjira tulakoti, nupura,
padangada,hamsaka and palipada and kinkini for the ones with bells. Trade was prevalent
between South India and Rome at the beginning of Christian era and the gold which came in was
converted into jewellery. Jewellery of Satavahanas is described in Gathasaptasati written in
Prakrit by a ruler. A circular jewel was placed in the centre of the usnisha(turban), kirita(a crown
with jewels) was worn too. Women wore the chudamani and the makarika(crocodile shaped
jewel) was also very popular. Ear kundalas were in vogue. The phalakahara
slabs as very popular among necklaces.
Footware and Jewellery: Even before the ancients began wearing footware and also after they
wore footware, the decoration of the body with jewellery continues unabated. One had not much
to do with the other, only that when barefoot, the need for jewellery was felt more. But no one
knows.

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In religions originating in the Indian subcontinent and in the Middle East, it is customary to
remove one's shoes when entering a house of worship. In the Bible, God commanded Moses to
remove his sandals before approaching Him on Mount Sinai. The Eastern cultural context of this
narrative regards shoes as bringing in dust into the home and removing one's shoes "would be a
way of recognizing one's personal uncleanness in the presence of holiness." Hinduism and Islam
also regard feet as being unclean; it is considered sacrilegious to touch books with one's feet and
an insult to point one's feet at someone. As such, in many mandirs(temples) and mosques, as
well as in churches and synagogues of the Indian subcontinent and Middle East, it is customary
for worshippers to remove their shoes before entering a house of worship, where they believe
they are entering into the presence of the divine. How the ancients sat down or stood was also
made easier by naked feet: There is evidence to suggest that Shoes Hurt You and therefore the
logical thing to do would be to remove them.
Standing Barefoot is Healthier
Shoes can protect feet, but they often cause more problems up the chain. The soles of the feet
have hundreds of nerve endings and joint motion receptors that send constant feedback to the
brain about the environment and body position. Each of your feet has 26 bones, 3 different
arches, and a variety of specialized muscles to control your ankle, foot, and toe movements.
Research shows that during barefoot standing, 60% of weight is supported by the heels, 28% by
the forefoot, and 8% by the mid-foot. For you visual learners, that looks like this:
All that complicated circuitry works together to keep standing upright position ( because the
body is an unstable inverted pendulum).
The feet and brain together also form a control loop. The brain has a “desired balance” input, and
can tell (from sensors throughout your body) what your “current balance” actually is. Brain
constantly compares the desired and current balance states, and enacts changes through your
motors (muscles) to achieve/maintain the desired balance condition. Very complicated stuff that
occurs multiple times per second.
How Shoes Disturb Your Brain’s Balance Control
Shoes hurt this system because they limit the motion the joints in your feet experience, atrophy
your muscles, and reduce the quality of the sensory input information that your feet return to
your brain.

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Feet confined by shoes are bound to virtually the same surface all day long. Your foot is always
in contact with the same contoured surface of the shoe. This flattens the signal your brain
receives about the current state of your foot activity. Putting shoes on your feet obscures your
brain’s ability to determine how well you’re balancing, and whether its commanded changes in
muscle activity are achieving the desired goal. This will cause your muscles to over- or under-
react when an adjustment to your balance is needed, and it actually causes your brain to work
harder.
When you wear shoes, brain has to solve some complicated motion equations on the fly, because
the sensors in your feet aren’t reporting back effectively. Imagine if you wore thick leather
gloves your whole life. Could you even hope to shoot a basketball accurately?
Walking with shoes is like playing cricket with gloves.
With the control loop disrupted, your brain is bound to take shortcuts and send the wrong signals
to your muscles. This increases the chances of unnatural tissue loading. Problems like locking
your knees, standing asymmetrically, or putting too much weight on your heels.It also blunts
what should be important overuse signals. Sure, you might be able to run further in a pair of
cushy athletic shoes. But is running unnaturally far really a good idea?
When you’re wearing shoes, your brain will likely keep at least one muscle group activated too
long – throwing off the symmetry between opposing muscle groups.

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That means increased likelihood of sprains, strains, and tears. And don’t even get us started on
the damage done to our elderly population. More bare footing about could have prevented a lot
of broken hips.
As touched on earlier, beyond the physical effects, disrupting one of your brain’s many control
loops may have mental effects as well. In small experiments we’ve run in our office, standers
performed as much as 10-15% better on cognitive tests when barefoot than when wearing hard-
soled shoes. And as we’ve covered before, increasing mental performance just 10% can have
huge positive effects.
Restore Healthy Brain-Foot Connection by Standing Barefoot: After shoes are taken off, the feet
are able to touch and feel the surface of the floor, the carpet, and mat. Movements such as toe
curling, arch flexing, and foot pivoting start happening naturally and spontaneously.
Restoring your brain-foot connection will improve your health, happiness, and maybe even
mental performance. And if you’re like us, you’ll really enjoy it too.
http://www.quittingsitting.com/why-standing-barefoot-is-healthier/

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Ram Gopal varma’s painting of ganesh with Riddhi and Sidddhi.Naked feet

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The name of ancient Hindu foot covering is Paduka.When translated into English, Paduka literally
means ‘Footprints of the Gods’. These are the oldest Indian sandals and were traditionally made
of wood, with a grip being provided by the stub between the big toe and the other toes. The more
elaborate the padukas, the higher the wearer’s status, which is why some were also made of silver
and ivory, with intricate decorations. Today, this type of footwear is generally worn by Buddhist,
Hindu, and Jain saints.
Originally Footwear serves to purpose of protection against the ground texture and temperature. It
can be used for fashion, and adornment as well as to indicate the status. And The Rank of the status
within a social structure. But Today, In our lifestyle Footwear plays a key role to make person
stylists. According to many people, footwear shows a person’s personality, interest, and choice. I
am sure that in those days too such indeed was the case.

Ancient India was the source of religions like Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. From ancient
times wearing leather, footwear was forbidden in India because the Hindus consider cows as
sacred. So the use of sandals made of wood, plant fiber, and metals was in vogue.
Orissa State Museum, Bhubaneswar
High heeled Footwear did not come into our lives until the 1 970s. But our ancestors wore them
in India several centuries before. At the archaeological site at Chandraketugarh, about 35 km north-
east of Kolkata. Footwear with a raised heel and floral motifs used around 200 BC were found.

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The elevated footwear must have helped the ladies to give the illusion that they were much taller
than what they were.
The sculpture at the Ramappa Temple in Warangal, The Ramalingeswara temple also known
as Ramappa gudi is located 77 km from Warangal and 157 km from Hyderabad. Here one can
find 850 years old sculptures. The above sculpture in the Ramappa Temple exemplifies the
fact that fashionable ladies in India wore high-heeled footwear. Again, there could have been a
more practical reason – to keep their feet and clothing clean. By the way, from ancient times Sudras
the low caste people in India were not allowed to wear any type of footwear on public roads. They
had to carry them in their hands. One can see this phenomenon even now in many villages in India.
Paduka, Garamur Sutra
Paduka
The term paduka” (foot) and
“ka“, a diminutive ending literally meaning “small”. According to legends, The word pada (‘foot’)
is cited in the ancient Hindu scripture – Rigveda. Representing the universe namely

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the Prithvi (earth), Vayu(Air), Akash(Sky) and the element of the realm beyond the sky. It also
means the footprints of divine figures such as Vishnu and Shiva.
The paduka
big and second toe to keep the foot in place. Since it does not have straps of any kind to keep them
adhered to the feet, it must have been difficult to walk wearing them. The wearers would have
dragged their feet along the ground accompanied by funny movements of their hips.
Fine teak ebony and sandalwood went into the making of the paduka for the affluent embellished
with leather and fur. Large floral and leaf motifs are carve and embedded. It inlaid with beads,
stones, crystals, ivory, and metals such as copper, bronze and iron. It took on a variety of forms
such as the actual shape of feet, or of fish (a symbol of fertility and plenty in India), or animals.
Today paduka as footwear is generally worn by the mendicants and saints of Hinduism, Buddhism,
and Jainism. Its significance in Hinduism is linked to the epic Ramayana. As per Ramayana (an
ancient Indian epic), Bharatha (brother of Lord Rama, Indian Hindu Deity) requested for the pious
paduka of Lord Rama. It can be placed on the throne on behalf of the Lord until he returned from
the 14 years of long exile. Bharatha worshipped his padukas in his absence, This was the first
universal Poojan (worship) of Lord Rama performed by Bharatha. it called the first
universal Satchidananda Utsav (Celebration of Truth, Consciousness, and Bliss).
Padukas are often associate with Indian sadhu—mendicants, holy men, and gurus. The two
narrow, curved stilts reflect the principle of non-violence practiced by Hindus and Jains. It
minimizing the risk of accidentally trampling insects and vegetation. Made of precious, luxurious

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materials, paduka become ornaments in a bride’s trousseau, serve as ritual objects of veneration
for devotees or become votive offerings from the faithful.
Ramayana :
“kushiilavau tu dharmjnau raajaputrau yashasvinau |
bhraatarau svarasampannau dadarsha aashramavaasinau ||
sa tu medhaavinau drishhthvaa vedeshu parinshthitau |
vedopabriihmanaarthaaya taavagraahayata prabhuh ||
kaavyam raamaayanam kritsnam saeetaayaashcharitam mahat |
paulastya vadhamityeva chakaara charitavratah ||
The princes, the brothers, Kusha and Lava, were knowledgeable about Dharma and were
glorious. Their voices were melodious and they lived in the hermitage of (Valmiki). He
(Valmiki), established in good deeds, observed those two extremely intelligent (princes), skilled
in the Vedas, and for the sake of expounding the Vedas, he composed and made them study the
poem sampoorna-Ramayana (the entire Ramayana) containing the great story of Seeta and the
slaying of Ravana.
These verses from the Valmiki Ramayana clearly show that the sage Valmiki composed the
Ramayana to expound the meaning of the Vedas. Valmiki was also of the opinion that this was an
epic of Seeta describing her struggle in life as Sahadahrminee (equal partner) and Dharmapatni
(wife focused on Dharma). That is why he calls it Seetacharitam and not Ramayana. Perhaps
Vedavyasa changed the title to Ramayana while editing..

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Ancient spiritual thoughts such as the Ramayana have glorified Indian footwerar. Valmiki glorifies
the Padukas (wooden clogs) of Rama in Ramayana.
Lord Rama himself allowed His sandals to rule the kingdom for the benefit of the people. Through
one sandal Sri Rama established his father’s adherence to Satya-paalanam (protection of Truth)
and through the other, honored the appeal of Bharata. Bharata acted as a regent only and did not
sit on the throne to rule Ayodhya in Rama’s absence.
Vedanta Desika’s Paduka Sahasram occupies a unique place among the Vaishnavite Bhakti
literature. The sandals of the Lord are more sublime than the Lord Himself. According to Sri
Desika, the sandals represent a blend of two goddesses who are the heroines of this great poetical
composition. All the followers of Vaishnavaite faith hold no second opinion about the greatness
and glory of the Padukas. Valmiki perhaps had the following Veda mantra in mind in this
glorification of Rama’s clogs that can be interpreted differently as you see later:

Charanam Pavitram vitatam puraanam yena pootas-tarati dushkritaani |
Tena pavitrena suddhena pootaa ati paapmaanam-araatim tarema ||
He who is rendered holy by the ancient, widespread, sanctifying feet crosses over evil deeds and
their effects. Having been rendered holy by that naturally purifying feet of the Lord, may we
overcome our enemies, the sins, by virtuous conduct!
This Mantra from Taittareeya Brahmana. While taking bath in standing in waist-deep waters this
mantra is chanted before taking a plunge. This is also chanted while a holy person’s feet
are ceremoniously washed. Charanam in singular, meaning foot stands for Charana Devata
Vishnu, implying feet of Lord Narayana. That is why you find a pair of Vishnu’s feet being
worshiped in all Vishnu temples, popularly known as Vishnupaada. Hindus chant this mantra while
worshiping the Vishnu-paada. Vishnu-paada Pooja is very popular and these silver-icons are
invariably brought from Badrinath after being blessed by Lord Badrinath and kept at home as
treasure for daily worship or for worship on special occasions and “sraddha” ritual.

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Tears nor sighs nor sad entreaty Rama’s changeless purpose shook,
Till once more with hands conjoined Bharat to his elder spoke:
“Rama, true to royal mercy, true to duties of thy race,
Grant this favour to thy mother, to thy brother grant this grace,
Vain were my unaided efforts to protect our father’s throne
Town and hamlet, lord and tiller, turn to thee and thee alone!
Unto Rama, friends and kinsmen, chiefs and warriors, turn in pain,
And each city chief and elder, and each humble village swain,
Base thy empire strong, unshaken, on a loyal nation’s will,
With thy worth and with thy valour serve their faithful people still!”
Rama raised the prostate Bharat to his ever loving breast,
And in voice of tuneful hansa thus his gentle speech adrest:
“Trust me, Bharat, lofty virtue, strength and will to thee belong,
Thou could’st rule a world-wide empire in thy faith and purpose strong,
And our father’s ancient ministers, ever faithful, wise and deep,
They shall help thee with their counsel and thy ancient frontiers keep,
List! The Moon may lose his lustre, Himalaya lose his snow,
Heaving ocean pass his confines surging from the caves below,
But the truth abiding Rama will not move from promise given,
He hath spoke and will not falter, help him righteous Gods in heaven!”
Blazing like the Sun in splendour, beauteous like the Lord of Night,
Rama vowed his Vow of Duty, changeless in his holy might!
“Humble token”, answered Bharat, “still I seek from Rama’s hand,
Token of his love and kindness, token of his high command,
From thy feet cast forth those sandals, they shall decorate the throne,
They shall nerve my heart o duty and shall safely guard thy own,
They shall to a loyal nation absent monarch’s will proclaim,
Watch the frontiers of the empire and the people’s homage claim!
Rama gave the loosened sandals as his humble younger prayed,
Bharat bowed to them in homage and his parting purpose said:
“Not alone will banished Rama barks and mated tresses wear,
Fourteen years the crowned Bharat will in hermit’s dress appear,
Henceforth Bharat dwells in palace guised as the hermit of the wood,
In the sumptuous hall of feasting wild fruit is his only food,

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Fourteen years will pass in waiting, weary toil and penance dire,
Then, if Rama comes not living, Bharat dies upon the pyre!” (II.122.9-26)
Valmiki Ramayana translated by Romesh Dutt
https://tamilandvedas.com/tag/paduka-puja/
Use of footwear in India can be traced way back to 200 BC. We can see features of the kings
wearing boots in various coins and paintings of the Kushan period (130 BC to 185 AD) and
the Gupta period (320 to 550 AD). In ancient times, wearing leather was not considered good
in India as the cow was considered as scared hence sandles made of wood, plant fibers, metals
were used. The Sanskrit word pāduka is derivative of pāda "foot". This terminology was coined
to define India's ancient archetypal footwear.
The word pada ('foot') is cited in the ancient Hindu scripture - Rigveda, as representing the
universe namely the Prithvi (earth), Vayu (air), Akash (sky) and the element of the realm
beyond the sky.
Vedas: The history of footwear goes back to old Vedic period. Some of the written evidence are.
1. In ancient Indian texts Rigveda, Yajurveda Samhita, Atharvaveda, Brahmans, and Panini
Grammer, footwear has been mentioned with Sanskrit term ‘ Upanah’ or ‘Upanat’. These footwear
(sandals and shoes) were made from grass, wood, and leather. The oldest forms of footwear still
being worn in India are the Paduka, a simple thong sandle made with a wooden sole and a knob on
a post between the big toe and second toe.
2. As per great epic Ramayana, Bharata returned from Chitrakuta carrying the Rama’s paduka (toe-
knob sandal or khadau) and ruled the Ayodhya after placing the paduka on a throne in Nandigram,
as Rama’s proxy. Ravana also holds an umbrella and wears shoes while assuming the form of
ascetic for Sita’s abduction.
3. According to Mahabharata, once Jamadagni got enraged seeing her wife Renuka exhausted in the
scorching sun and started sending arrows against Sun god. Then Sun god presented him with a pair
of sandals and an umbrella to protect against the heat from below and above. In this great epic,
shoes (upnate) and sandal or toe knob sandal (paduka or padu) are clearly differentiated. It also
mentions that footwear stealer is born as an “Otikyata” (a lizard)
4. In Shrimad Bhagwat Puran, Lord Vamana is mentioned wearing an umbrella and shoes. Lord
Krishna never wore shoes while herding the cows.
5. While leaving the princely life in the 5th century BC, Lord Buddha is mentioned in scriptures
having taken off his sandals.

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6. Banabhatta, the court-poet of emperor Harsh Vardhan has mentioned in his book Harshacharita
(7th century) footwear.
7. Mahavyutpatti (800-815 CE), which contains the Sanskrit and Tibetan terms for understanding
Buddhist texts has mentioned the footwear as Padavestanika, Pula, Manda-pulah, etc.
8. Abhidhan Cintamani of Hemchandracharya (11th century) footwear are classified in several
categories including Upanat (shoes), Paduka (sandals), Padarakasana, etc.
9.aduka Sahasram of Swami Vedantha Desika (1269 AD-1370 AD) contains the 1000 verses
on the padukas of Lord Vishnu, whose statue is enshrined in Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple (Tamil
Nadu).
Physical evidence of the footwear in India
At the archaeological site at Chandraketugarh, about 35 km north-east of Kolkata, footwear with a raised
heel and floral motifs used around 200 BC were found. The footwear worn at that time was fancy with
moccasins, cotton-padded, partridge-wing, ram-horn, goat-horn and peacock feathers.
Shilabalika sculpture in the Ramappa Temple ( Left) & Ramappatemple sculpture Source: Twitter

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Temple near Warangal as mentioned earlier, exemplifies the fact that fashionable ladies in India
wore high-heeled paduka. This clearly shows that high heels were used in 850 years ago. A Sculpture
at Veerabhadra Temple, Lepakshi can be seen wearing high heels (Left Below). This sculpture is said
to be of God Shivaas a beggar with Goddess Parvati. Sculpture at Veerabhadra Temple, Lepakshi

Paduka on sculpture, Orissa State Museum, Bhubaneswara

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The Buddha statue(Sun Temple Gujrath on the right)
Surya, stone image from Deo-Barunarak, Bihar, Source: https://www.britannica.com/
Among all Hindu deities, only Sun god is portrayed wearing the footwear. Modhera Sun temple ( 11th
century CE) of Gujarat shows him wearing a belt and long shoes. The granite Sun statue of Dakshinaarka
Sun Temple (13th century) of Gaya depicts him wearing a jacket, waist girdle, and high boots.
Gold coin of Kushan period and Gupta Period( Below) Kushan period( (130 BC to 185 AD) India, the
gold coin can be seen with king wearing full boots. The coin of the Gupta period (320 to 550 AD) shows
kings wearing full boots decorated with buttons.

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Ajanta cave paintings (4th to 5th century) also portray the people wearing stockings along with full boots.
kushan gold coin Source: Ancientresource.com(Below)
Gupta Period Coin showing footwear
nindia.com/
Ajanta cave paintings-below

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Paduka in Hindu mythology
Painted Indian pāduka collector Hans Sloane (1660–1753). Now with the British Museum
Ramayana:
“kushiilavau tu dharmjnau raajaputrau yashasvinau |
bhraatarau svarasampannau dadarsha aashramavaasinau ||
sa tu medhaavinau drishhthvaa vedeshu parinshthitau |
vedopabriihmanaarthaaya taavagraahayata prabhuh ||
kaavyam raamaayanam kritsnam saeetaayaashcharitam mahat |
paulastya vadhamityeva chakaara charitavratah ||
The princes, the brothers, Kusha and Lava, were knowledgeable about Dharma and were
glorious. Their voices were melodious and they lived in the hermitage of (Valmiki). He
(Valmiki), established in good deeds, observed those two extremely intelligent (princes), skilled
in the Vedas, and for the sake of expounding the Vedas, he composed and made them study the
poem sampoorna-Ramayana (the entire Ramayana) containing the great story of Seeta and the
slaying of Ravana.
In the Hindu epic Ramayana, King Dasaratha who had a curse on him, sent his
son Rama (an incarnation of god Vishnu) for 14 years of exile, at the behest of his
wife Kaikeyi (step mother of Rama) as she wanted her son Bharata to be crowned as the king.
Rama, his consort Sita and brother Laksmana went into a forest to spend their period of exile. But
Bharata did not want to have the kingdom. He, therefore, met Rama who was living in the forest
and beseeched him to return to Ayodhya. When Rama told Bharata that he will return only after
completing his fourteen years in the forest, Bharata requested for Rama's paduka to serve as his
proxy, to be crowned in Ayodhya Raj Singhasan (King's throne) of Kosala country and to serve as
an object of veneration for Rama's followers. Bharata carried Rama's golden sandals (padukas)

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with great reverence by placing them on his head as a mark of his obedience to his elder brother.
Bharata ruled Kosala as Rama's proxy in the name of "Ram's Padukas".
Indian Footwear
Whether hot or cold India is a vast territorial entity which is garbed with a variety of weather,
climate, seasons all round the year. From the chilly Himalayan mountain regions of north India, to
the Southern tip of kanyakumati -a variety of boots and shoes have been made over the centuries
to protect the feet from cold and rainy weather. These boots and shoes are made of leather, wool,
and plant fibers. But since the weather in most of India is warm, shoes were not necessary, and for
much of history, Indians went barefoot.
Your feet be praised: Without the need for footwear, Indian culture developed a unique history
of praising the feet. Mothers massage the feet of their babies. Youth honor the feet of elders.
Someone seeks forgiveness at the feet of his or her victim. Lovers caress each other's feet to show
their devotion. Indians traditionally keep their feet as clean as their hands, and even today villages
often have at least one craftsman devoted to the manufacture of products to clean the feet,
especially foot scrubbers made of stone or metal. Literature written as early as 2500 b.c.e.
documents the use of toe rings, ankle bracelets, and foot ornaments. Indian religious and romantic
literature abounds with references to the power of the feet, indicating their cultural significance.
But in the areas of India where shoes are not necessary because of the warm weather, footwear,
although not worn daily, has become an important part of religious devotion and other ceremonies.
Ceremonial footwear is beautifully made, decorated with embroidery, inlaid with precious stones
and metals, and adorned with bells and tassels. Feet are also painted, dyed, and covered in
ornament for special occasions. Footwear used for ceremony varies from region to region due to
India's many different ethnic and cultural groups. Some of the most common types of shoes worn
in India are toe-knob sandals called padukas, strapped sandals referred to as chappals, pointed
shoes known as juttis, and tall boots called khapusa.
Sandals:

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The footwear is typically a sandal, which has generally a wooden sole with a post and a stub to
provide grip to the foot between the big and second toes. It is also known
as karrow, kharawan and karom and used in the Indian subcontinent mostly by mendicants, saints
and common man for special occasions. Made in the shape of the footprints, with two narrow and
curved stilts, the design is specific to ensure that the principle of non-violence - practised by the
saintly followers of Hindu and Jain religions - is not violated by accidental trampling on insects
and vegetation. The often heard prayer on the lips of a Brahmin wearing such a paduka is: "Forgive
me Mother Earth the sin of injury, the violence I do, by placing my feet upon you this morning."
Padukas made of ivory were in popular use among royalty and saints. These are, however, made
from ivory of dead elephants or extracted from live domesticated elephants. Elephants are not
killed for the purpose of making such sandals because Hindu religious ethos does not permit such
cruel acts. Padukas are also worn by common people. But people of high status in the society wear
padukas made out of fine teak, ebony and sandalwood and inlaid with ivory or wire. It is also made
in the shape of a fish, as a symbol of fertility.
Other forms of padukas worn on special occasions are: Silver Paduka incised with silver or of
wood covered with silver plates and sometimes adorned with bells to sound upon
walking; Bronze Padukas and Brass Padukas with significance for ritual and ceremonial use.
A unique pair of wooden padukas has toe knobs inlaid with ivory lotus flowers and is minutely
painted. At each step, a trigger mechanism in the sole signals the lotus to open from bud to
blossom. It is also made in the shape of an hourglass or with carved toes.
Eighteenth-Century footwear used as ritual wear made of "wood with bed of sharp iron spikes"
has been found. It is inferred that it was meant to be used to inflict pain to the wearer to demonstrate
his conviction in religious forbearance of pain.
Veneration

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Paduka of saint Dnyaneshwar is carried in palanquin in a silver bullock cart in procession
from Alandi to Pandharpur
Paduka is also gifted as part of a bride's dowry. They are worshipped and also given as votive
offerings by the faithful believers. In a festival associated with the Hindu god Vithoba, pilgrims
travel to his Pandharpur temple from Alandi and Dehu towns that are closely associated with poet-
saints Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram respectively, carrying the Padukas of the saints in a
silver palkhi (palanquin).The popular religious belief is that of the contact (sparsh) with
the Salabhanjika yakshini's foot. It is said that when the Yakshini encircles a dormant tree with her
leg around it, it starts to blossom and bear fruit. Shalabhanjika yakshi is also an embellishment in
the form of an architectural bracket in many Hindu temples.

Another notable feature of veneration is of goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity.
On Deepavali festival day, Lakshmi is devotionally ushered into the house by symbolic
representation with a series of her foot prints (paduka) drawn in paint or kolam and lighted all
along with oil lamps, from the main door of the house into the private sanctum in the house. This
is done with the prayerful wish that good fortune shall be bestowed by her on the householders.
Below the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya where Buddha got enlightenment, there is a vacant throne that
is adorned with the foot prints on a foot rest of the Buddha. This place is deeply venerated.

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.
Tanzanian gogo sandals that resemble Padukas
Vishnupada Mandir is said to enshrine the footprints of god Vishnu. This footprint denotes the
act of Vishnu suduing Gayasur by placing his foot on Gayasur's chest. Inside the temple, the 40
centimetres (16 in) long footprint of Vishnu is imprinted in solid rock and surrounded by a silver-
plated octagonal open enclosure. The temple is 30 metres (98 ft)in height and has 8 rows of
elegantly carved pillars that support the pavilion. Within the temple precincts, the banyan tree
called the 'Akshayabat' is located where the final rituals for the dead takes place. This is believed
that the temple was built with the footprints of Lord Vishnu in the centre. In Hinduism, this
footprint marks the act of Lord Vishnu subduing Gayasur by placing his foot on his chest. Inside
the Vishnupad Mandir, the 40 cm long footprint of Lord Vishnu is imprinted in solid rock and
surrounded by a silver plated basin. The height of this temple is 30 meters and it a has 8 rows of
beautifully carved pillars which support the pavilion. The temple is built of large gray granite
blocks jointed with iron clamps. The octagonal shrine faces east. Its pyramidal tower rises up a
100 feet. The tower has sloping sides with alternately indented and plain sections. The sections are
set at an angle to create a series of peaks joined at the top. Within the temple stands the immortal
banyan tree Akshayabat where the final rituals for the dead takes place. On top of the temple is a
gold flag weighing approximately 51 kg. Inside the temple is a (Garv ghiri ) a silver coated
hexagon railing also known as (pahal). Once a demon known as Gayasura, did a heavy penance

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and sought a boon that whoever see him should attain salvation (Moksham). Since salvation is
achieved through being righteous in one's lifetime, people started obtaining it easily. To prevent
immoral people from attaining salvation Lord Vishnu asked Gayasura to go beneath the earth and
did so by placing his right foot on asura's head. After pushing Gayasura below the surface of earth,
Lord Vishnu's foot print remained on the surface that we see even today. The footprint consists of
nine different symbols including Shankam, Chakram and Gadham. These are believed to be
weapons of the lord. Gayasura now pushed into earth pleaded for food. Lord Vishnu gave him a
boon that every day, someone will offer him food. Whoever does so, their souls will reach heaven.
The day Gayasura doesn't get food, it is believed that he will come out. Every day, one or the other
from different parts of India will pray for welfare of his departed and offer food, feeding Gayasura.
Vishnupad Mandir in 1885
The construction date of temple is unknown and it is believed that Rama along with Sita had
visited this place.The present day structure was rebuilt by Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar, the ruler
of Indore, in 1787, on the banks of the Falgu river. A flight of 1000 stone steps leads to the top of
the Brahmajuni hill, 1 km southwest of the Vishnupad mandir. Visitors prefer to go to the top of
Brahmajuni hill see the view of temple from top.
[3]
There are many small temples near this temple.

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Param Paduka or the Celestial footware of the Lord
Paduka Sahasram
Paduka Sahasram, literal meaning "1000 verses on the padukas of the Lord", is devotional poetry
extolling the virtues of worshipping the Paduka (feet) of god Vishnu whose deity is enshrined
in Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam in Tamil Nadu. It is considered a sacred script of
the Sri Sampradaya or Sri Vaishnavism, who are known by the surname Iyengar, also
spelt Ayyangar in South India. The Sahasram was composed in 1008 verses in 32 chapters by
Swami Vedantha Desika, a follower of the Vishishtadvaita philosophy propounded by
saint Ramanujacharya. It is also said that Desika composed this magnamopus, as a challenge to
his rival group of Tengalai Iyengars (Iyengars belonging to the southern school of the Srivaishnava
philosophy), in one yamam of a night meaning one quarter of a night, which was acclaimed as a
master piece of religious poetry and he was awarded the title of Mahakavi. The eulogy of the Lord's
Paduka by Desika is spun around Rama's sandals (Paduka), which ruled the kingdom of Ayodhya
for 14 years. He propounds that it was due to the special relationship that people of Ayodhya had
with Rama's Paduka that they attained liberation, meaning salvation in life.
The author Sri Vedanta Desikan (Swami Desika, Swami Vedanta Desika, Thoopul Nigamaantha
Desikan) (1268–1369) was a Sri Vaishnava guru/philosopher and one of the most brilliant
stalwarts of Sri Vaishnavism in the post- Ramanuja period. He was

39
a poet, devotee, philosopher, logician and master-teacher (desikan). He was the disciple
of Kidambi Appullar, also known as Aathreya Ramanujachariar, who himself was of a master-
disciple lineage that began with Ramanuja.Swami Vedanta Desika is considered to
be avatar (incarnation) of the divine bell of Venkateswara of Tirumalai by the Vadakalai sect of
Sri Vaishnavite. Vedanta Desika belongs to Vishwamitra gotra.
On the occasion of 750th anniversary of Vedanta Desika, Indian postal department unveiled a
stamp to commemorate the great philosopher's life and highly valued works. The stamp was
unveiled by Sri Venkaiah Naidu Vice President of India in May 2019.
3
Paduka Poojan done during Satchidanand Utsav.
Guru Paduka Sthothram Adi Shankaracharya has also written nine devotional verses under the
title "Guru Paduka Sthothram" as salutations to his guru, in this case meaning the Lord. Adi
Shankaracharya was an Indian philosopher and theologian who consolidated the doctrine of
Advaita Vedanta. He is credited with unifying and establishing the main currents of thought in
Hinduism. His works in Sanskrit discuss the unity of the and Nirguna Brahman "brahman
without attributes" The English language translation of the first verse means:
Salutations and Salutations to the sandals of my Guru,
Which is a boat, which helps me, cross the endless ocean of life,
Which endows me, with the sense of devotion to my Guru,
And by worship of which, I attain the dominion of renunciation.
Paduka Poojan (Worship of Paduka)

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1st universal Satchidananda Utsav (Celebration of Truth, Consciousness and Bliss: As per
Ramayana (an ancient Indian epic), Bharatha (brother of Lord Rama, Indian Hindu Deity)
requested for the pious paduka of Lord Rama so that they can be placed on the throne on behalf of
the Lord till he returned from the 14 years of long exile. Bharatha worshipped his padukas in his
absence. This was the first universal Paduka Poojan (worship) of Lord Rama performed by
Bharatha and hence called the first universal Satchidananda Utsav (Celebration of Truth,
Consciousness and Bliss)

41
"Satchidananda Utsav" is organised by Sadguru Shree Aniruddha Upasana Trust (Mumbai, India)
and celebrated every year on the second Saturday of the month of "Margashirsha"(ninth month of
Hindu calendar). It is usually performed for two to five consecutive days. The holy paduka's
worshipped during the Satchidananda Utsav are prepared from the paper pulp of Ram Naam books
issued by Aniruddha's Universal Bank of Ram Naam and written by thousands of devotees across
the world.
1. Untold stories of Ramayan
Majority of Hindus, historians, or religious text experts who have read both Valmiki’s and
Tulsidas’ version of Ramayan, unearthed various excerpts that never received spotlight like the
rest of the legend.
2. Tales from Ayodhya
Of such highlights are the turn of events that happened back in Ayodhya during Lord Rama’s exile.
More or less, we know about the death of King Dasharatha, and Urmila’s deep sleep for 14 years,
but not anything else in detail. This is what happened in Ayodhya, in the absence of Lord Rama,
his wife Sita and Laxman.
3. Bharat-Kaikeyi-Manthra
Bharat and Shatrughan were at their maternal relative’s place, when Kaikeyi forced Dasharatha to
send Rama to exile. Hearing of this news, Bharat immediate returned to Ayodhya, and in a fit of
rage abused his own mother for her wickedness. When Manthra tried to intervene and convince
Bharat that his mother was thinking of his good fortune, he attacked fatally on Manthra.
4. Bharat attacking Manthra
He was stopped from committing the cardinal sin of ‘killing a woman’, by Shatrughan. Bharat then
discarded Kaikeyi, cursed her and Manthra for never being able to get place in heaven or in his
heart. Since then, he wholeheartedly committed to serve mother Kausalya and Sumitra.
5. King Dasharatha’s Shradh
Following Dasharatha’s death, the family decides to perform last rites in Ayodhya, but on guru
Vashishtha’s advice, the royal family sans Kaikeyi, Manthra and Urmila, visit Chitrakoot, to
inform Rama of his father’s death.

42
.
Just then came there all the three widowed queens. Seeing them in widows’ dresses, Rama began
to grieve bitterly.
Bharata said to Rama, “Dear Father could not bear the sorrow of separation from you, brother.
He breathed his last with your name on his lips. I was with my maternal parents at that time.”
“Oh Dear Father!” exclaimed Rama in sorrow and then said, “I hoped to return to Ayodhya at the
expiry of the period of exile. But with dear father’s departure, my enthusiasm has disappeared.”
Then Saint Vasishtha advised Ram a lot and consoled him as well. So, Ram stood in waters of
the Mandakini and offered oblations to the departed soul of his father saying, ”This pious water
should ever keep reaching you.” Next day, Bharata placed before Ram the royal robe and other
articles of coronation and said, “We have come to crown you king here.”

43
“I can never do so, dear brother,” retorted Ram.
“But why after all?” asked Bharata.
“Because I am bound by the boons given by dear father to Mother Kaikeyee,” replied Ram.
“If a person must live in exile for fourteen years to keep the boon of dear father, I am here to do
it, “suggested Bharata.
“No, dear, Bharat, according to his boons, I am to live in exile while you are to mount the throne.
So you must run the government till I am in exile,” argued Ram.
“All right; if this is your wish, I must run the administration but in your name only. These
wooden shoes of yours will be placed on the throne as a token.” Saying so, Bharata returned to
Ayodhya with Ram’s wooden shoes. There all four brothers perform their father’s Shradh.
6. Bharat’s wife Mandavi
When Bharat returned to Ayodhya after failing to convince Ram to come back, he pledged to place
Rama’s ‘paduka’ on the throne and move forward with royal duties. But, he did so, on his own

44
conditions; he abandoned royal luxuries of the palace. Following him, his wife Mandavi too
abandoned all luxuries.
7. Bharat and Mandavi leaving for Nandigram
When Bharat dig his own bed 1ft below the earth level, where Rama slept, Mandavi dig her bed
2ft below her husband’s bed to honor her husband. She discarded the palace and moved on to live
in Nandigram with her husband, who ruled both Ayodhya and Kosala, from Nandigram.
8. Shatughan-Shrutakeerti
With none of his brothers in the palace, Shatrughan decided to stay with his wife and look after
their mothers, Kausalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra, and the administration of Ayodhya Kingdom. It
wasn’t Ram-Sita, Laxman-Urmila, or Bharat-Mandavi, but Shatrughan and his wife Shrutakeerti,
who in true sense lived as royal bearers for Ayodhya for 14 years.
9. Kausalya-Smitra
Upon seeing their sons leave for exile, Kausalya and Sumitra, decided to discard the royal luxuries
and serve their dying husband King Dasharatha. After his death, they accompanied Bharat to

45
convince Rama and Sita to return to Ayodhya. When they refused, Sumitra and Kausalya decided
to settle in Ayodhya, abandoning all luxuries and look after Urmila, who underwent deep sleep for
14 years.
When Padukas ruled a Kingdom and the Kings acted as the Commissioner of the footware: One
philosophical question that pops up in the Ramayana events when the King or ruler is the Paduka
- “Has Rama the rights to kill Vali”. This is important because when we say the Aatataayee has
to be killed we should remember it is a King’s Duty. No other person has the right to Kill him as
per Atharvana Veda (Refer).
Rama says Bharatha is the ruler Sloka (4-18-7) It is Bharatha’s duty to punish the
wrongdoers. Sloka (4-18-11) Then suddenly he changes the track and says we are his proxies

46
(वयम् तु आदेश वर्तिनः). ( Sloka (4-18-23) Now can the king’s proxies execute orders without his
expressed order? Sloka (4-18-25)There is another problem to this.
Is Bharatha the King? Rama says Bharatha is the ruler Sloka (4-18-7) It is Bharatha’s duty to
punish the wrongdoers. Sloka (4-18-11) Then suddenly he changes the track and says we are his
proxies (वयम् तु आदेश वर्तिनः Sloka (4-18-23) Now can the king’s proxies execute orders
without his expressed order? Sloka (4-18-25)There is another problem to this.
Is Bharatha the King?

Because in Ayodyakanda after Bharat milap (meeting with Bharata) Bharata refuses to take over
the kingdom as he does not want to be party to kaikeyi’s conspiracy. After a lot of debate
Bharata offers the kningdom to the Sandals (Paduka) and he himself will live a saintly life like
Rama staying outside the KingdomSloka (2-112-23/24) . Thus the king happens to be the
Paduka. This Paduka is representative of Rama himself. So we are to understand that Bharata is
the ‘defacto’ ‘dejure’
that Bharat is the king he is also the accountable when adharma
happens in his presence. So he is duty bound to kill Vali.
To continue I don’t understand why an eminent person (Srinivasa shastry) in Govt. service still
writes “That you will say, is an assumption of power and authority which nothing can
justify

47
SanskritEnglish verbatim Translation4-18-7
ताम् |
धर्म काम अर्थतत्त्वज्ञो निग्रह अनुग्रहे रतः
He who is virtue-souled, truth-abiding, plain-
speaking, and the knower of the import of probity,
pleasures, and prosperity, and the one who is
concerned in controlling or condoning his subjects,
that Bharata is the ruler of earth.
4-18-11
ते
भरतआज्ञाम् पुरस्कृत्य निगृह्णीमो यथा विधि
“Abiding in our own pre-eminent righteousness, and
even abiding by the order of Bharata we punish him
who deviated from the path of morality, according to
custom.
4-18-23
भरतः -१८-२३
त्वम्
|
While Bharata is the lord of land and we are his
proxies adhering to his orders, and while you too have
overstepped the bounds of rightness, then how is it
possible to be lenient?
2-18-25वयम् |
त्वत् ||
४-१८२५
“As for us, oh, monkey’s lord, we effectuate our
brother’s orders and our duty, and we stand for
curbing your kind of shatterers of ethics.
2-112-23/24
स |
चतुर्दश || -११२-२३
फलमूलाशनो
|तवागमनमाकाङ्क्षन् वसन्वै नगराद्बहिः२-११२२४
Bowing before the sandals, Bharata spoke the
following words to Rama: “O, Rama the hero and the
tormentator of enemies! For fourteen years, I shall
wear matted locks and robes of bark, live on fruits and
roots O Rama, and live outside the city, offering the
ruling of the kingdom to your sandals.”
After Paduka….Who?

48
Shoe making in India dates back to the time of the Indus valley civilisation (circa 3000 BC) and
the Indians had learned to tan leather early making sumptuous clothing including footwear. In
the East the use of bronze was known to exist from 4500 BC and the Indian civilisation may well
have influenced the Etruscans to use bronze (or later copper) tacks to attach the sole of the sandal
to the upper. This is what was later used by the Romans as they militarised the sandal. Robust
footwear took them further and hence the Roman Empire spread further than previous
civilisations.
2. Punjabi Jutti ( Punjab)
Commonly worn in North India, the jutti originated in Punjab. Made from leather, these
elaborately embroidered juttis
in a variety of colours today. Typically, the Punjabi juttis don’t have a right and left foot, because
it takes the shape of your foot when you wear it. Designed with a flat sole, juttis can be worn by
both women and men (the only difference being the extended tip in men’s juttis). In fact, the
popular Punjabi juttis have inspired several other types of footwear, including
the Khussa and Mojaris that are sold in other parts of North India.

49

50
Mojhari is a man's closed shoe with an extended curled toe, while as jhuttis have flat fronts. In
jhuttis, the rear is normally covered but mojharis have an open look from behind. These shoes
were traditionally made in Jaipur and Jodhpur, cities of Rajasthan. Mojhris are heavily
embroidered with gold and silver threads and decorated with precious gems and pearls. These are
worn at weddings. These were considered as the royal ethnic footwear to go with traditional
Indian dressing like sherwanis and churidar kurta (pyjamas). They come in a variety of colours
and designs, and are normally hand crafted, made from buffalo, cow or camel leather soles,
while the upper part comprises of leather or simply textile. Unlike chappals both parts of the
shoe are joined together by a paste then stitched by white cotton threads. The flat soled shoes
have no left right distinction. The shoes have become very popular with the glitterati and are
worn by Bollywood stars and professional sportsmen.
3. Santiniketan Footwear
Santiniketan Leather Goods( Origin – Santiniketan, West Bengal)
in Santiniketan and surrounding villages near Kolkata, West Bengal, India. Production was started
as a cottage industry about 80 years ago in a few villages surrounding Santiniketan and marketed
at the Bhuban Danga Market. The craftsmen of the villages were trained under the Rural
Development Programme of Visva-Bharati University at Santiniketan. The material used is
vegetable tanned leather with art work done by touch dyeing. Its artistic leather bags are popular
in foreign markets and are exported to many countries including Japan and the U.SThey are
generally made of E. I. Leather (East India Leather) from sheepskin and goatskin.
This product has been registered for protection under the List of Geographical indications of the
Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement. In July 2007, it was listed as
"Santiniketan Leather Goods" under the GI Act 1999 of the Government of India with
registration confirmed by the Controller General of Patents Designs and Trademarks under Class
18 Handicraft goods vide application number 509 for the dated 12 July 2007.
The most popular kind of the footwear here are the open sandals, available in a wide range of
colours, with the typical embroideries and the embossed batik pattern on them.
Process: The E.I. tanned leathers, which are marketed in rolls with three or four skins, are coated
with a preservative of Epsom salt to inhibit oxidation. The skins, after intensive washing, are

51
immersed in a wooden vat or pit. They are then taken out and flattened by pulling and then dried.
After drying, designs are drawn on the leather and the leather is cut to the required size to make
the desired products. The vegetable tanned skins used in production have the quality of
permanently retaining the embossed imprint of motifs or batiks. A cotton pad or a glass, which
has a smooth surface, is used to make the grains of the leather shine.
4. Kolhapuri Chappal(Origin – Kolhapur, Maharashtra)
Traditional Indian sandals, called chappal remain the most widely used footwear in India.
Chappals come in many designs and are both comfortable and long lasting and hence the reason

52
for their longevity. Originally the sandals were made in Kohlapur in Maharashtra and are often
known as kolhapuri chappals
Previously called the Kapashi and Bakkalnahi, Kolhapuri chappals were first launched in the
13th century. Generally made of leather, these chappals are designed as open-toed sandals with a
T-strap, and are tanned locally by using vegetable dyes. If records are to be believed, it takes up
to 6 weeks to handcraft these Kolhapuri chappals. With trimmings like braided straps, gold cord,
embroidery, and even pom-poms, this versatile footwear go well with both Indian and western
outfits. However, the process of making these chappals is a dying art form, with a fall in the
number of artisans who still make Kolhapuris. So when in this quaint city, visit a small workshop
to learn more about the process of crafting these chappals and pick up one or more of these
beauties.

53
5. Pula Chappal ( Himachal Pradesh)
Made from the grass of shale (bhang), Pula chappal is the traditional footwear of the local Pahari
people in Himachal Pradesh. The mountain folk came up with this as an innovative alternative to
the more traditional leather shoes, which are usually made of cow-hide. These vibrant light-
weight chappals
braided shale stitched together with a cloth-lining, and colourful needlework on the top, the
Pula chappals are very popular in states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh today.The
Chappals are crafted by twisting and braiding grass of shale(bhang) into rope followed by
stitching it together with a cloth-lining, and colourful needlework on the top. Hailing from the
‘land of gods’ Pula chappal is the ethnic footwear of the local Pahari people in Himachal
Pradesh.
Due to the former leather shoes made of cowhide which were considered inappropriate for
treading on the soil of Himachal Pradesh, the mountain folk ideated an innovative alternative of
these vibrant light-weight Pula chappals. To enhance its pizzazz, the shoe’s upper part is
designed with a blanket stitch along with contrasting hues of wool.
Worn especially during religious ceremonies within temple area these multipurpose chappals are
also useful for walking on snow The craft is chiefly practiced in Chad (a village near Banjar),but
the market for the pula chappal has spread to Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.

54
6. Osho Chappals (Origin – Pune, Maharashtra)
If you think eco-friendly fashion accessories are always expensive, think again. Pune gets the
credit for creating eco-friendly Osho chappals, named after the spiritual guru, Osho Rajneesh. Both
affordable and a style statement, this extremely comfortable footwear works well with western
attires and Indian dresses. Made of bamboo, jute straw and natural grass, these chappals are also
known as Chattai chappals. Deriving it’s name from the spiritual guru
the eco-friendly contemporary flip-flops (Osho Chappals) are created from bamboo, jute straw and
natural grass. Faux velvet, rubber, or simple cotton cloth are used to make the two chappal strings
while the sturdy bottom surface is made of hard rubber.
Latest Trends in Osho Chappals
Synonymous with tranquility and vogue, these simple and basic design chappals are the true
representation of contemporary Indian fashion. From teenagers to old age grandfathers, Osho
chappals are cherished by all age groups because of their affordability, variation of colours
diverseness of styles and patterns (square as well as round front). With cool embellishments like
beads, stones, embroidery, cowries, seashells and even glitter, these are as high on comfort as
are on eye candy. The chattai (mat surface) of the chappals gives them an earthy traditional
look while providing a cooling effect to the feet. Fit for most occasions, the chic-style Osho
chappals can be teamed with all kinds of western as well as Indian attires.\

55
The History of Platform Heels:
Long before the platform heel exploded into our lives in the 1970’s it had actually been around
in many disguises centuries before. The history of platform shoes includes the Okobo, the
Kabkab, the Paduka and the Chopine. We’re talking some seriously high platforms here!
It’s difficult to find out exactly when and where the platform actually came into existence, but
there’s evidence in the artwork of some ancient cultures, from Egypt to Japan to Greece to India,
that platform shoes were being worn. In many of these cultures platforms were worn by both
men and women of the higher classes, perhaps for ceremonial purposes, indicating their status.
They could also have been worn to give the illusion they were much taller than the ‘common’
people, appearing ‘god-like.’ But then there could be a more practical reason, to keep their feet
and clothing clean.
Ancient man loved the platform!
Platform heels were popular amongst actors in ancient Greece
and China. It seemed the higher the platform the more prestige you had as an actor. In Greece
and Rome the actors wore buskins. These were open-toed sandals and had wood or cork soles.
They were tied up to the calf or knee, with either leather or cloth laces.Quite possible that some
such variation was present in Bharat too.
The Okobo
The Okobo, a very distinctive style, originated in 18th century Japan but you can clearly see
where the inspiration for the modern day flip-flop came from. These sandals were worn by
maiko (geisha) during their apprenticeship. The colors of the the cloth strap represented their
maiko status. Okobo refers to the sound made when walking due to it being made out of one

56
piece of wood, with the inside hollowed out. This is another example of a shoe that was created
to keep feet and clothing clean.
The Kabkab
Does anyone else think these look mpossible to walk in?! Seriously, there must have been a lot
of broken ankles during this era. Originally from Lebanon, dating between the 14th and 17th
centuries, these were worn by women of the higher classes (they were primarily worn by women
but men would also wear them in bathhouses). Again, this was to keep their feet clean and
protect them from the dirt on the streets. These ‘stilts’ were made from wood and were often
decorated with silver and pearl. The straps were made out of either velvet, leather or silk. Like
the Okobo, they were given their name due to the noise they made when walking on marble
flooring.
The Chopine
This was a favorite shoe for the women of
nobility across Europe, from the 15th to 17th centuries. They look a tad easier to walk in, due to
having more foot support compared to the Kabkab, but still, walking couldn’t have been easy. At
their highest they measured almost 20″… and like the others mentioned here were used
(sometimes as an over-shoe) to protect feet and clothing from dirt. Due to their extreme height,
help was needed not to just put them on, but to walk, by servants who would keep the wearers’
balanced and upright. They were made out of cork or wood and covered with either leather or
velvet, and sometimes adorned with jewels.

57
The 70’s revival!
What springs to mind when you hear the 70’s… The combination of music, fashion and heels at
their most outlandish! With artists such as Elton John, David Bowie and KISS clearly showing
their appreciation for the platform shoe, it was loved again by both men and women. But every
era has it’s sell-by date.
Fast forward to the 21st century!
Armadillo shoes –
Ballet Pointe heels?
They must have only been created for design purposes, i.e. fashion photo-shoots. But of course
these shoes have been made popular by celebs and popstars, who else would want to wear them,
far less try to walk in them, unless you’re getting paid tons of money to do so?
Interesting facts about the footwear
Below mentioned are some interesting facts about the footwear in Indian during modern era:
* In ancient Indian texts Rigveda, Yajurveda Samhita, Atharvaveda, Brahmans and Panini
Grammer, footwear has been mentioned with Sanskrit term ' Upanah' or 'Upanat'. These footwear

58
(sandals and shoes) were made from grass, wood and leather.
* As per great epic Ramayana, Bharata rerurned from Chitrakuta carrying the Rama's paduka
(toe-knob sandal or khadau) and ruled the Ayodhya after placing the paduka on a throne in
Nandigram, as Rama's proxy. Ravana also holds an umbrella and wears shoes while assuming
the form of ascetic for Sita's abduction.
* According to Mahabharata,once Jamadagni got enraged seeing her wife Renuka exhausted in
scorching sun and started sending arrows against Sun god. Then Sun god presented him a pair of
sandals and an umbrella to protect against the heat from below and above. In this great epic,
shoes (upnate) and sandal or toe knob sandal (paduka or padu) are clearly differentiated. It also
mentions that footwear stealer is born as an “Otikyata” (a lizard)
* In Shrimad Bhagwat Puran, Lord Vamana is mentioned wearing umbrella and shoes. Lord
Krishna never wore shoes while herding the cows.
* As per Brahma Vaivarta Purana, one should not wear the shoes already worn by others.
* According to Garud purana, sandals and umbrella should be gifted on `Sraddha' day. Shoes
stealer is born from sheeps' wombs.
* As per Vasstue shastra, footwear should be placed in south-west direction of hall and never in
bedroom.
* While leaving the princely life in 5th century BC, Lord Buddha is mentioned in scriptures
having taken off his sandals.
* n Mahavagga, a section of Buddhist scripture Vinaya Pitaka (5th century BCE ), sandals made
of fancy materials were forbidden for monks and nuns. It mentions 4 types of shoes, which
include Putabaddha (covering ankle), Tittirapttika (shape like partridge wings and adorned with
horns of ram or goat), Padigunthima (full boot) and Tulapunnika (padded with cotton wool).
Sandals with separate point like scorpion's sting and adorned with peacock feather were largely
demanded but were forbidden for Buddhist monks.
* Banabhatta, the court-poet of emperor Harsh Vardhan has mentioned in his book Harshacharita
(7th century) footwear.
* Mahavyutpatti (800-815 CE), which contains the Sanskrit and Tibetan terms for understanding
Buddhist texts has mentioned the footwear as Padavestanika, Pula, Manda-pulah etc.
* n Jain scripture Brihat Kalpa Sutra Bhasya the guidelines for the attires and footwear of monks
and nuns are given.

59
* Abhidhan Cintamani of Hemchandracharya (11th century) footwear are classified in several
categories including Upanat (shoes), Paduka (sandals), Padarakasana etc.
* Paduka Sahasram” of Swami Vedantha Desika (1269 AD-1370 AD) contains the 1000 verses
on the padukas of Lord Vishnu, whose statue is enshrined in Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple
(Tamil Nadu).
Physical evidences of the footwear in India
Following sculptures, coins and paintings also throw a light upon the centuries old history of
footwear in India:
* During the archeological excavation in Chandraketugarh (West Bengal), footwear of 200 BC
with raised heel and floral motifs are found. Further, a terracotta sculpture (1st century) also
wears a V shape sandal or chappal.
* Buddhist statues (3rd & 4th century) of Gandhara are portrayed wearing strapped sandals
* Numismatics have found the coins of Kushan period (130BC to 185AD) and Gupta period
(320 to 550 AD), which feature kings wearing full boots.
* Ajanta cave paintings (4th to 5th century) also portray the people wearing stockings along with
full boots.
* n some early Sanchi sculptures (3rd to12th century BCE) foreigners are depicted wearing
boots.
* Amongst all Hindu deities, only Sun god is portrayed wearing the footwear. Modhera Sun
temple ( 11th century CE) of Gujarat shows him wearing a belt and long shoes. The granite Sun
statue of Dakshinaarka Sun Temple (13th century) of Gaya depicts him wearing a jacket, waist
girdle and high boots.
* Bronze statue Chola period (11th to 2th century AD) also depicts the Bharat holding Ram's
paduka over his head. Pahari Miniature painting of (17th century) shows Bharat worshiping
Ram's paduka.
* Paduka of Lord Rama are worshiped even now also in Ram Paduka temples situated in
Rameshwaram (Tamilnadu), Ramtek (Maharashtra) and other places.
* In Chencherimali Temple of South India, devotees carry leather sandals in honor of Lord
Subrahmanya (Kartikeya, Murugan), as he is believed to wear leather shoes. His wife Valli is

60
worshiped in form of sandal pairs in Marudhamalai, Chennilais, Palani and Sivanmalai (Tamil
Naidu).
* In Vithoba festival, pilgrims travel to Pandharpur temple (Maharashtra) carrying the Padukas
of saints Tukaram and Dnyaneshwar in a silver palanquin.
* In dian oleograph of Ravi Varma (19th century) shows Rama’s padukas and sword placed on a
throne.
* Mahatma Gandhiji learnt the art of handcrafting shoes in South Africa and made a pair of
shoes in African jail. While leaving the Africa, he presented shoes to president General Smutts,
who was cruel towards Indians. Smutts kept it for 24 years and returned it to Gandhi on latter's
60th birthday. Gandhi also set up a tannery in Sabarmati Ashram (Ahmedabad) and made simple
chappal a symbol of India's self-sufficiency during 20th century independence movement.
REFERENCES
1.In Search Of Sita: Revisiting Mythology,By Namita Gokhale
2.. Feet and Footwear: A Cultural Encyclopedia, Margo DeMello, ABC Clio
Bejewelled Feet: Studies in Hindu and Buddhist Art, P. K. Mishra
3.Satyajeet banerjee https://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/history-of-footwear-along-with-
interesting-facts

Ancient footware of Bharata

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