Who is Challa Srinivas Sastry walking from Hyderabad to Ayodhya with gift for Ram Madir, biography, age and route

Who is Challa Srinivas Sastry walking from Hyderabad to Ayodhya with gift for Ram Madir, biography, age and route

Hyderabad resident Challa Srinivas Sastry has embarked on an extraordinary 8,000-kilometer pilgrimage to Ayodhya

Challa Srinivas Sastry has started his pilgrimage to Ayodhya bearing a unique gift for Lord Ram, a pair of gold-plated footwear valued at Rs 65 lakh. This spiritual journey is a testament to Sastry’s unwavering faith and his desire to fulfill a legacy.

64-year-old Challa Srinivas Sastry’s expedition began on July 20, retracing the Ayodhya-Rameswaram route in reverse to represent Lord Ram’s period of exile, known as “Vanavas.” The timing aligns with the inauguration of the Ram Temple on January 22, adding a profound significance to his pilgrimage.

Hyderabad man, has Challa Srinivas Shastri, embarked on a 8,000-km journey to Ayodhya on foot, carrying golden padukas as a gift for Lord Rama. The silver sneakers, each weighing 8 kg, were gold plated during the journey.

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The gold-plated ‘padukalu’ (footwear), meticulously crafted from ‘panch dhatu’ (five metals), rests atop Sastry’s head as he walks with purpose and determination.

Stopping at Shiva Lingas established by Lord Ram along the way, the journey of Challa Srinivas Sastry is a spiritual quest that encompasses important pilgrimage sites including Puri in Odisha, Trimbak in Maharashtra, and Dwaraka in Gujarat. Each step he takes echoes a deep connection to the sacred geography by marking a unique blend of devotion and physical endurance.

Inspired by the studies of Dr. Ramavatar, a retired Income Tax Department official who meticulously charted Lord Ram’s route of exile, Sastry’s pilgrimage goes beyond a physical undertaking. It is a heartfelt fulfillment of his father’s dream—a dream rooted in ‘kar seva’ in Ayodhya and a strong devotion to Lord Hanuman. Sastry shared, “My father’s desire was to see the Ram temple built in Ayodhya.

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The journey had its interruptions with Sastry temporarily halting his march to visit the UK. However, he resumed his pilgrimage in Tamil Nadu, steadfast in his commitment. Currently, Sastry and five companions are in Chitrakoot, Uttar Pradesh, approximately 272 km away from the final destination, Ayodhya.

Challa Srinivas Sastry is not only on a spiritual quest but has also founded the Ayodhya Bhagyanagar Sitarama Foundation. His intention to build a home in Ayodhya and make it his permanent residence reflects a deep connection to the holy city and a desire to contribute to its spiritual and cultural tapestry.

His arrival in Ayodhya, carrying the precious gold-plated footwear, will be a poignant moment in the unfolding narrative of the temple’s inauguration.

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