The story associated with the origin of footwear in Hindu
religion is found in the Mahabharata. Legend has it that the heat of the sun
became unbearable for people on earth. Fed up with the heat of sun, Sage
Jamadagni, father of Parashurama, started sending arrows at the sun. Sage
Jamadagni’s wife Renuka was supplying him with the arrows.
Mata Renuka kept on filling the quiver with arrows. Sage
Jamadagni continued sending arrows at the sun.
Surya, the sun god in Hindu tradition, then heated up the
route of Mata Renuka. She could not bear the heat and fell down near a banyan
tree.
Sage Jamadagni was angry at not getting enough arrows. When
Mata Renuka returned and informed Sage Jamadagni what had happened, he was even
more angrier and increased the number of arrows against the sun.
Surya then came in the disguise of an old saint and told
Sage Jamadagni that he will not be able to bring down or block the sun with his
arrows.
But Sage Jamadagni was determined to block the sun with his
arrows.
Seeing the determination of Sage Jamadagni,
Surya appeared before him and presented him with a pair of footwear and umbrella.