{{Short description|South Asian footwear}} {{For|the genus of butterfly|Paduka (butterfly)}} {{Italic title}}{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}} thumb|Elaborate ''paduka'' with high platform was part of a bride's trousseau.<ref name=arch>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/ethno/w/wooden_shoe.aspx|title=britishmuseum.org}}</ref>
'''''Paduka''''' ({{Langx|sa|पादुक|translit=pāduka}}) is an ancient form of footwear in India, consisting of a sole with a post and knob which is positioned between the big and second toe.<ref name="aas.ca">{{Cite web |url=http://www.allaboutshoes.ca/en/paduka/the_paduka/index.php |title=All About Shoes – The Bata Shoe Museum<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=9 June 2009 |archive-date=29 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091229190953/http://www.allaboutshoes.ca/en/paduka/the_paduka/index.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> It has been historically worn in South Asia and Southeast Asia. ''Paduka'' exist in a variety of forms and materials. They might be made in the shape of actual feet, or of fish, for example, and have been made of wood, ivory and silver. They may be elaborately decorated, such as when used as part of a bride's trousseau, but could also be given as religious offerings or themselves be the object of veneration.<ref name=arch />
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.<ref name="aas.ca"/> In the modern world, ''padukas'' are worn as footwear 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<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web|url=http://www.allaboutshoes.ca/en/paduka/the_paduka/index.php|title=The Paduka|access-date=26 December 2009|archive-date=29 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091229190953/http://www.allaboutshoes.ca/en/paduka/the_paduka/index.php|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=culture>{{cite web|url=http://www.fashionencyclopedia.com/fashion_costume_culture/The-Ancient-World-India/Paduka.html |title=Paduka |access-date=26 December 2009 |publisher=Fashion Encyclopedia |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100202211733/http://www.fashionencyclopedia.com/fashion_costume_culture/The-Ancient-World-India/Paduka.html |archive-date=2 February 2010 }}</ref><ref name=wear>{{cite web|url=http://www.allaboutshoes.ca/en/paduka/index.php|title=Feet and Footwear in the Indian Tradition|access-date=26 December 2009|archive-date=17 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091217062725/http://www.allaboutshoes.ca/en/paduka/index.php|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=lexicon>{{cite web|url=http://www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/cgi-bin/monier/serveimg.pl?file=/scans/MWScan/MWScanjpg/mw0618-pAdAntara.jpg|title=Sanskrit Lexicon|page =618|access-date=27 December 2009|author = Monier Monier-Williams|author-link = Monier Monier-Williams}}</ref> in symbolic form in houses and purpose-built temples. One such temple is the Vishnupad Mandir in Gaya, India. Similarly, Buddha footprints are worshipped under the Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya.<ref name=lexicon/><ref name =divine>{{cite web|url=http://www.allaboutshoes.ca/en/paduka/in_footsteps_divine/|title=In the Footsteps of the Divine|access-date=26 December 2009|archive-date=13 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100113071337/http://www.allaboutshoes.ca/en/paduka/in_footsteps_divine/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
''Paduka'' are a royal symbol in Malaysia. The Malay title ''Seri Paduka'' is roughly analogous to "His Majesty", and is bestowed as an honour to recognition dignitaries of the Malaysian court.<ref name=Kampar>{{Cite book|last=Kampar|title= Sri Paduka: the exile of the Prince of Ayodhya|work=Paduka|pages=3, 4|access-date=26 December 2009|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qnsOAAAAYAAJ&q=Paduka|publisher= Ohio University, Center for International Studies|year=1969}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=A Dictionary of the Sunda language|url=https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/A_Dictionary_of_the_Sunda_language/P |first=Jonathan |last=Rigg |location=Batavia, Java |publisher=Lange & Co. |year=1862}}</ref> thumb|Detail of ''paduka'' on sculpture, Orissa State Museum, Bhubaneswar
== Etymology == [[File:BM-Paduka.JPG|thumb|left|Painted Indian ''pāduka'' collected by Hans Sloane (1660–1753), now in the collection of the British Museum]] thumb|right|Female figure with paduka, 11th century The Sanskrit word ''pāduka'' is derivative of ''pāda'' meaning 'foot'. This terminology was coined to define India's ancient archetypal footwear.<ref name =arch/>
==Legends== The word ''pada'' ('foot') is cited in the ancient Hindu scripture ''Rigveda'' as representing the universe, namely the Prithvi (earth), Vayu (air), Akasha (sky), and the element of the realm beyond the sky.<ref name =divine/>
In the Hindu epic ''Ramayana'', King Dasharatha sent his son Rama (an incarnation of Vishnu) into exile for 14 years at the behest of his wife Kaikeyi (the stepmother of Rama), who wanted her son Bharata to be crowned in Rama's place. However, Bharata did not wish to rule the kingdom, and visited Rama in exile, beseeching him to return to Ayodhya. When Rama replied that he would return only after completing his exile, Bharata requested Rama's ''padukas'' to serve as his proxy, to be crowned and to serve as an object of veneration for Rama's followers. Bharata carried Rama's golden ''padukas'' 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 regent in the name of "Rama's padukas".<ref name =divine/><ref name=Kampar/>
==Construction== thumb| Kashmiri Pandit woman wearing strapped ''paduka''{{Citation needed|date=April 2026|reason=Nowhere in this article is a strapped paduka mentioned, and the common image's caption itself doesn't say the shoes depicted are paduka-style.}} {{circa|1922}} The footwear is practically a sandal which generally has a wooden sole with a post and a stub to provide grip between the big and second toe. It does not have straps of any kind to adhere the sole to the foot, so the wearer has to actively grip the post between the two toes to keep the sandal in place while walking.<ref>{{cite book | last1=Jain-Neubauer | first1=Jutta | title=Feet & footwear in Indian culture | publisher=Bata Shoe Museum [u.a.] | publication-place=Toronto | date=2000 | isbn=978-0-921638-13-1 }}</ref>
It is also known as ''khadau'', ''karrow'', ''kharawan'' and ''karom'', and used in the Indian subcontinent mostly by mendicants, saints and commoners.<ref name =arch/> 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 of insects and vegetation. The Brahmins wearing such a ''paduka'' may be heard praying: "Forgive me Mother Earth the sin of injury, the violence I do, by placing my feet upon you this morning."<ref name =Pada>{{cite web|url= http://www.allaboutshoes.ca/en/paduka/the_paduka/index_2.php|title= The Paduka|access-date= 26 December 2009|archive-date= 12 January 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100112212107/http://www.allaboutshoes.ca/en/paduka/the_paduka/index_2.php|url-status= dead}}</ref>
''Padukas'' made of ivory were in popular use among royalty and saints. Hindu religious ethos requires that the ivory be taken from elephants which died naturally or harvested from domesticated elephants, in a manner which avoids cruelty.<ref name =Ivory>{{cite web|url=http://www.allaboutshoes.ca/en/paduka/the_paduka/index_3.php|title=The Ivory Padukas|access-date=26 December 2009|archive-date=13 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100113070134/http://www.allaboutshoes.ca/en/paduka/the_paduka/index_3.php|url-status=dead}}</ref> People of high societal status wear ''padukas'' made of fine teak, ebony and sandalwood and inlaid with ivory or wire. They are also made in the shape of fish as a symbol of fertility.<ref name =teak>{{cite web|url=http://www.allaboutshoes.ca/en/paduka/the_paduka/index_4.php|title=The sandalwood Padukas|access-date=26 December 2009|archive-date=13 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100113114415/http://www.allaboutshoes.ca/en/paduka/the_paduka/index_4.php|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Other forms of ''padukas'' worn on special occasions may be incised with silver or of wood covered with silver plates and sometimes adorned with bells to sound upon walking. Bronze and brass ''padukas'' may be worn for ritual and ceremonial use.<ref name =metals>{{cite web|url=http://www.allaboutshoes.ca/en/paduka/the_paduka/index_5.php|title=Metal Padukas|access-date=26 December 2009|archive-date=13 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100113142829/http://www.allaboutshoes.ca/en/paduka/the_paduka/index_5.php|url-status=dead}}</ref>
A unique pair of wooden ''padukas'' that are minutely painted and have their toe knobs topped with ivory lotus flowers. At each step, a trigger mechanism in the sole signals the lotus to open from bud to blossom. They are also made in the shape of an hourglass or with carved toes.<ref name="culture"/>
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.<ref name=culture/>
==Veneration== [[File:Alandi Palki 08.jpg|thumb|Paduka of saint Dnyaneshwar is carried in a palanquin in a silver bullock cart in procession from Alandi to Pandharpur.]] ''Paduka'' is often gifted as part of a bride's dowry. They are worshipped and given as votive offerings by faithful believers.<ref name =Pada/>
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).
A popular religious belief is of the contact (''sparsh'') with the salabhanjika sculpture 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.<ref name =divine/>{{relevance inline|date=July 2020|What does this have to do with the footwear?}}
Another notable feature of veneration is of the goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity. On Deepavali festival day, Lakshmi is devotionally ushered into the house through symbolic representation with a series of her footprints (''paduka'') drawn in paint or kolam and lit with oil lamps, from the main door to the private sanctum. This is done with the wish that good fortune shall be bestowed by her upon the householders.<ref name=wear/>
Below the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya where Buddha received 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.<ref name =divine/>
In South Indian Vishnu temples, priests offer the ''satari'', a gold or silver plated crown that features the feet of Vishnu to bless devotees, who bow low so that it is ritually placed upon their heads.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Kim |first1=Bokyung |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w464EAAAQBAJ&q=satari+crown+temple&pg=PA155 |title=Teaching South and Southeast Asian Art: Multiethnicity, Cross-Racial Interaction, and Nationalism |last2=Pyun |first2=Kyunghee |date=2023-04-10 |publisher=Springer Nature |isbn=978-3-031-22516-1 |pages=155 |language=en}}</ref>
===Vishnupada temple=== thumb| These simple Padukas are worn by saints and mendicants. The Vishnupada Temple is said to enshrine the footprints of Vishnu.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indnav.com/servlet/Browse?mt=goToName&name=Vishnupad+Temple|title=Vishnupad Temple|access-date=26 December 2009}}</ref> This footprint denotes the act of Vishnu subduing Gayasura by placing his foot on his chest. Inside the temple, the {{convert|40|cm|in|adj=mid|-long}} footprint is imprinted in solid rock and surrounded by a silver-plated octagonal enclosure.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://discoverbihar.bih.nic.in/pages/gaya1_place.htm |title=Discover Bihar |access-date=26 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090924065657/http://discoverbihar.bih.nic.in/pages/gaya1_place.htm |archive-date=24 September 2009 }}</ref> The temple is {{convert|30|m|ft}} in height and has 8 rows of elegantly carved pillars that support the pavilion.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indovacations.net/english/Aboutgaya.htm|title= About Gaya|access-date=26 December 2009}}</ref>
===Paduka Sahasram===<!--{{Copying within Wikipedia|Paduka Sahasra}}--> {{Main|Paduka Sahasra}} '''The Paduka''' ''Sahasram'' ({{Lit|1,000 verses on the footwear}} (of Ranganatha)) is a devotional poem extolling the virtues of worshipping the ''paduka'' (feet) of Vishnu, enshrined in Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple of Srirangam, Tamil Nadu. The poem was composed in 1,008 verses in 32 chapters by Vedanta Desika, a proponent of the Vishishtadvaita philosophy. According to Sri Vaishnava tradition, the 1,000 verses of the Paduka Sahasra were composed in a single night by Vedanta Desika as a part of a literary contest. By doing so, the poet defeated Alagiya Manavala Perumal, a theologian of the Tenkalai sect, who had only been able to compose 300 verses during the allotted period.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Srinivasachariar |first=M. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4dVRvVyHaiQC&pg=PA208 |title=History of Classical Sanskrit Literature: Being an Elaborate Account of All Branches of Classical Sanskrit Literature, with Full Epigraphical and Archaeological Notes and References, an Introduction Dealing with Language, Philology, and Chronology, and Index of Authors & Works |date=1989 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publishers |isbn=978-81-208-0284-1 |pages=208 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Raghavan |first=Appaswamy Srinivasa |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xM8XAAAAIAAJ&q=paduka+sahasra+pada+kamala+sahasra |title=The Life and Works of Sri Nigamanta Maha Desikan |date=1991 |publisher=K.R. Ramaseshan |pages=44 |language=en}}</ref> thumb|Paduka Poojan done during Satchidanand Utsav
===Guru Paduka Stotram=== Adi Shankara has also written nine devotional verses under the title "Guru Paduka Stotram" as salutations to his guru. An English translation of the first verse is:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindupedia.com/en/Guru_Paduka_stotram|title=Guru Paduka stotram|access-date=29 December 2009}}</ref> <blockquote> <poem> 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. </poem> </blockquote>
==Gallery== <gallery> File:Indian paduka in fish shape, South Bengal - Bata Shoe Museum - DSC00168.JPG|''Paduka'' at exhibit in the Bata Shoe Museum File:Indian paduka that sprays lotus water from its toe-knobs, undated - Bata Shoe Museum - DSC00171.JPG|Exhibit in the Bata Shoe Museum File:Indian paduka, Jaipur, 18th century AD - Bata Shoe Museum - DSC00046.JPG|Silver ''paduka'', Bata Shoe Museum File:Paduka - India.jpg|Silver ''paduka'', Bata Shoe Museum
</gallery>
==See also== *List of shoe styles *Chappal, known as "flip-flops" outside India *Sandal *Upanah
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.allaboutshoes.ca/en/paduka/the_paduka/index.php All about shoes: Padukas] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091229190953/http://www.allaboutshoes.ca/en/paduka/the_paduka/index.php |date=29 December 2009 }}
{{footwear}}
Category:Clogs (shoes) Category:Indian footwear Category:Hindu symbols