In Madhya Pradesh’s Burhanpur district, a devoted follower of Lord Shri Ram, Gajanan Mahajan, refrained from wearing slippers for 11 years, awaiting the construction of a grand temple for Lord Shri Ram in Ayodhya. Now that the temple has been built, he traveled to Ayodhya on a bicycle for darshan and will finally resume wearing slippers.
Gajanan, a resident of Loni village, shared the news with the Local 18 team. He explained, “11 years ago, I vowed not to wear slippers until a big temple for Lord Shri Ram was built in Ayodhya. Now that the temple is complete, I visited Lord Shri Ram’s town, Ayodhya, by bike and had darshan of Ramlal. After 11 years, I will start wearing slippers again.”
Currently 40 years old and running a water business, Gajanan recounted the challenges he faced during his vow but remained steadfast in his commitment. “If God helps his devotees so much, then I, too, decided to stop wearing slippers until my Shri Ram Lalla sits in the big temple. Despite many difficulties, I did not break my vow and kept it continuously,” he said.
Though he has visited Ayodhya, Gajanan is waiting to complete the Shravan puja at his home on the last Monday of the month before resuming wearing slippers. “I have visited Lord Shri Ram, but I have to do Shravan puja at my home on the last Monday of the month. After that, I will start wearing slippers. That is why I am still walking around without slippers. My resolution is about to be fulfilled. Now, I will go to Ayodhya every year to visit Lord Shri Ram.”
In addition, the Ayodhya Ram Mandir Trust has recently introduced modern amenities for Ram Lala devotees. Local residents and saints will be able to have darshan of Ram Lala without facing crowds, thanks to new facilities being provided. The Trust has announced that local people and saints will receive a special pass allowing regular and easy darshan of Ram Lala. To access this facility, local residents must fill out a form with proof of their local residence and submit it to the Ram Mandir Trust’s camp office.