Hyderabad: A Devotee’s Remarkable Journey to Honor Lord Rama
If someone has devotion and determination, nothing can stop them from achieving extraordinary feats. Challa Srinivasa Sastry, a resident of Hyderabad, is one such devotee of Lord Rama who has embarked on a unique journey to honor the deity in Ayodhya.
Sastry, a sound engineer with over five decades of experience in the film industry, has shifted his focus to spiritual pursuits. His contributions to the Ayodhya Ram Temple have left a lasting impact, blending his personal devotion with a sense of duty to his family’s legacy.
His connection to the Ram Temple runs deep. Sastry fulfilled a promise made by his father, who was part of the Ram Janma Bhoomi movement. To honor this vow, he donated five silver bricks, each weighing 2.5 kg, for the foundation of the temple. These bricks were used during the temple’s groundbreaking ceremony, which was led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In an extraordinary act of devotion, Sastry undertook a 7,200-kilometer padayatra (pilgrimage on foot) from Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu to Ayodhya. He carried a pair of gold-plated ‘charan padukas’ (sacred footwear), crafted from 8 kg of silver and coated with gold. These padukas symbolize the path believed to have been taken by Lord Rama during his exile. His six-month-long journey concluded at Ayodhya just before the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony, which is scheduled for January 22, 2024.
After completing his pilgrimage, Sastry, along with his wife, has been serving the community in Ayodhya. They distribute laddus to over 10,000 devotees daily and provide free meals to 500-1,000 people, ensuring Telugu cuisine is available for those far from home.
Sastry’s devotion doesn’t end there. He has designed a bow for Lord Rama’s statue, weighing 14 kg—13 kg of silver and 1 kg of gold. This bow will be placed in the hands of the deity on the temple’s first floor. Currently, the bow is on a nationwide tour, gathering blessings from various temples. It is expected to reach Ayodhya by March or April 2025.
Looking to the future, Sastry has ambitious plans. He intends to build a dharmshala (rest house) in Ayodhya for Telugu-speaking pilgrims, with construction beginning after February 2025. Additionally, he envisions installing a statue of Maharishi Valmiki at the Ayodhya Airport, further enhancing the spiritual significance of the city.
Sastry’s journey is a testament to how devotion, commitment, and creativity can come together to leave a lasting mark on a sacred legacy.
