09-16-2006, 12:47 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Andhra beggar woman donates temple Rs. 3.5L</b>
Publication: The Times of India
Date: September 11, 2006
Introduction: Lakshmamma, 75, has been seeking aims at the entrance of Venkateswara temple at Devunikadapa ever since her husband deserted her three decades ago. She saved every penny and donated the amount for improving amenities for devotees
Charity, they say, begins at home. For the homeless beggar Lakshmamma, charity begins at heart. The frail, septuagenarian woman ekes out a living by seeking alms. But she has redefined philanthropy in her own way.
This beggar in a small, nondescript town of Devunikadapa in Andhra Pradesh has so far donated Rs 3.50 lakh to a local temple. It was the money that she had earned during the last three decades through begging. The 75-yearold Lakshmamma has been seeking alms at the entrance of Venkateswara temple at Devunikadapa ever since her husband deserted her three decades ago.
She has saved every penny she received as alms from pilgrims and donated the amount for improving amenities for devotees thronging the temple.
The huge saving has been possible as she never spent a pie, not even on her food. She has been content with the prasadam given to beggars regularly by the temple authorities so that her entire savings could be donated to the Lord.
The temple authorities said the money would be used for constructing a polished stone platform near the gaali gopuram, erecting door frames at the main entrance, laying pipes for queue complex and fencing for a well on the temple premises.
Lakshmamma was an ordinary housewife in Kadiri in the neighbouring Anantapur district. Left to fend for herself after her husband deserted her, she took to begging near Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple in Kadiri. She donated all her earnings to the temple and organised discourses on Ramayan for three months.
She later moved to Devunikadapa and began begging near the Venkateswara Swamy temple. For several days, she went without food.
Then, she worked as maidservant for some time before going back to the temple seeking alms. Her daily routine includes sweeping the temple premises.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Publication: The Times of India
Date: September 11, 2006
Introduction: Lakshmamma, 75, has been seeking aims at the entrance of Venkateswara temple at Devunikadapa ever since her husband deserted her three decades ago. She saved every penny and donated the amount for improving amenities for devotees
Charity, they say, begins at home. For the homeless beggar Lakshmamma, charity begins at heart. The frail, septuagenarian woman ekes out a living by seeking alms. But she has redefined philanthropy in her own way.
This beggar in a small, nondescript town of Devunikadapa in Andhra Pradesh has so far donated Rs 3.50 lakh to a local temple. It was the money that she had earned during the last three decades through begging. The 75-yearold Lakshmamma has been seeking alms at the entrance of Venkateswara temple at Devunikadapa ever since her husband deserted her three decades ago.
She has saved every penny she received as alms from pilgrims and donated the amount for improving amenities for devotees thronging the temple.
The huge saving has been possible as she never spent a pie, not even on her food. She has been content with the prasadam given to beggars regularly by the temple authorities so that her entire savings could be donated to the Lord.
The temple authorities said the money would be used for constructing a polished stone platform near the gaali gopuram, erecting door frames at the main entrance, laying pipes for queue complex and fencing for a well on the temple premises.
Lakshmamma was an ordinary housewife in Kadiri in the neighbouring Anantapur district. Left to fend for herself after her husband deserted her, she took to begging near Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple in Kadiri. She donated all her earnings to the temple and organised discourses on Ramayan for three months.
She later moved to Devunikadapa and began begging near the Venkateswara Swamy temple. For several days, she went without food.
Then, she worked as maidservant for some time before going back to the temple seeking alms. Her daily routine includes sweeping the temple premises.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->