Women in Gadag village donate one month’s Gruha Lakshmi dole for new chariot of local deity

GADAG: More than 50 women of Somanakatti village in Ron taluk of Gadag district have donated the money received under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme towards building of a new chariot for the village diety. This comes close on the heels of an elderly woman served meals and sweet with the Gruha Lakshmi scheme money at Suttatti village of Raibagh taluk of Belagavi district.

The villagers had been using a small chariot for the deity Sharanabasaveshwara for the last 75 years and had decided it was time for a bigger chariot. The deity is taken out in procession on the chariot during the Shravana month and a new chariot is expected to cost Rs 75 lakh.

The women of the village came together and decided to donate their one month’s dole under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme towards construction of a new chariot. There are about 150 women in the village and already, more than 50 have made the contribution. Every day, more women are registering with the temple committee to donate for the cause.

The women also stood in front of the old chariot and poured milk on a portrait of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. “For 11 months, we spent the money on children’s education, health, LPG cylinders, clothes, household items and gold and silver. Hence, we decided to give one month’s dole for a worth cause”, they said.