Apara Annapurna Smt. Dokka Sithamma garu

Smt. Dokka Sithamma garu (1841-1909) from a traditional Brahmin family at Lankala Gannavaram of East Godavari district, served food to the needy through-out her life - without any considerations for cast, religion, creed and nationality of the people being served - even at times of famine or floods / day or night. 

She was considered as 'APARA ANNAPURNA'. She was respected and admired by not only the locals and poor - but also by the Britishers who were ruling India at that time. She politely refused honorary invitations from British Government to Delhi and London, as it would interrupt her serving of food to the needy.

One British Prince who witnessed in person her magnificent ANNADANA YAGNA in her village, wanted to have her presence in London while he is getting crowned. When Sithamma garu was not willing to start for London, she was photographed on special request, her photograph was kept in a royal chair and the prince got crowned (taking it as if he was being blessed by Sithamma garu).

She was fully supported in every aspect for her ANNADANA YAGNAM by her husband Sri Dokka Joganna garu, who was also a great soul. She kept aside her life-time ambition of spending her last days of life in Kasi (VARANASI) for the sake of continuing her ANNADANAM to the needy.

Sithamma garu and Joganna garu don't have kids of their own. BUT HER MOTHERHOOD HAD NO BOUNDS THAT EVERY PERSON SHE WAS FEEDING HAD BEEN A KID TO HER.

Many people at that time witnessed that - when Sithamma garu passed away - a bright light came out from her body and went into the sky.

 

http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Hinduism/2000/03/The-Guest-Is-God-The-Hospitality-Of-A-Hindu-Saint.aspx?p=1

http://www.gotelugu.com/issue26/711/telugu-columns/smt-dokka-seethamma-biography/

Information and photo Courtesy: Sri Chaganti garu and like-minded people from the Internet