Beggar Donates ₹1.83 Lakh for Temple Renovation
Beggar Donates ₹1.83 Lakh for Temple Renovation
In a deeply moving story that has captured the hearts of many, a 60-year-old woman who has lived her life on the fringes of society has made an extraordinary gesture of devotion and generosity. Rangamma, a beggar residing in Bijanagera village along the Raichur-Jambaladinni Road in Karnataka, donated her life’s savings—₹1.83 lakh—for the renovation of the village’s Anjaneyaswamy temple.
A native of Andhra Pradesh, Rangamma has been living in Bijanagera for over 35 years, sustaining herself solely through begging. Over the past six years, she meticulously saved every rupee she received—from auto drivers, bikers, shopkeepers, and small traders—without touching it for her own needs.
Her commitment came to light when villagers, touched by her plight and consistent presence, built her a modest shelter—a 4×5 ft tin-roofed structure—just a few weeks ago. What they didn’t expect, however, was the discovery that followed.
While helping Rangamma move into her new home, the villagers stumbled upon three old gunny bags stashed away in a corner. To their amazement, the bags were stuffed with bundles of currency notes. When asked about the money, Rangamma calmly revealed her intention: she had been saving it all to donate towards the temple renovation.
Calling upon the village elders, she asked them to help count the money. Over 20 people spent nearly six hours sorting and tallying the cash, eventually arriving at a total of ₹1.83 lakh. Unfortunately, an additional ₹6,000 worth of notes had been damaged due to moisture.
Rangamma had also earlier contributed ₹1 lakh from her savings to help build her own shelter—a sign that her generosity wasn’t limited to the temple alone, but extended to ensuring she wasn’t a burden on others.
“She always said she wanted her savings to go toward something meaningful,” said Basavaraj Yadav, the secretary of the Anjaneyaswamy temple service committee. “According to her wishes, every rupee she gave was used for the temple renovation.”
Rangamma’s daily routine consisted of approaching motorists and shopkeepers for small amounts. “Some people gave me ₹10, some ₹20, and sometimes even ₹100,” she said. “Everything I gave to the temple was collected just like that.”
On the day the newly renovated temple was reopened to the public, Rangamma was honored by the community—a gesture of gratitude for someone who gave everything she had, without ever asking for anything in return.
This simple yet profound act reminds us that generosity doesn’t depend on wealth, but on the heart’s intention. In a world often obsessed with materialism, Rangamma’s quiet sacrifice speaks louder than most grand gestures ever could. Her story will remain etched in the memory of Bijanagera as a shining example of faith, humility, and selfless devotion.
