In Karnataka’s Gadag, 850 women pool Rs 17L from Gruhalakshmi to revive temple work

GADAG: As many as 300 Gruhalakshmi beneficiaries in Timmapur village of Gadag district have pooled Rs 17 lakh to restart construction of the Rs 1-crore Renuka Yellamma temple, which had stalled due to a funds crunch. Contributions are still flowing in.

In all, 850 women have pledged a month's allowance following an appeal by two seers, urging village women to contribute their Gruhalakshmi benefit for the project.


Aimed at economic empowerment, the Gruhalakshmi scheme in Karnataka provides a monthly financial assistance of Rs 2,000 to the female head of a non-taxpaying family.

With 10 sculptor-labourers working on the temple project, work is expected to be completed in five months. Ramanagouda Desai, president, and Yallappa Babari, treasurer, of Sri Renuka Yellamma Devasthan Trust, told TOI nearly 80% of Timmapur's residents are devotees of Savadatti Yellamma.

"We earlier worshipped the statue of Renuka Yellamma on a small platform. Four years ago, Hanamappa Hallikeri, a govt employee, donated six guntas of land and Rs 1.25 lakh to build a temple. We planned a Hampi-style structure costing Rs 1.1 crore," they said.

About 70% of the work was completed before funds ran dry. On Feb 19-20, seers Kottureshwar Swamiji of Harlapur and Fakireshwar Swamiji of Soratur suggested that women pool a month's Gruhalaxmi benefit to bridge the gap.

"They readily agreed," Desai and Babari said.

Villagers believe the temple could evolve into a major pilgrimage and tourism centre, easing their financial burden over time.

Welcoming the move, women and child development minister Laxmi Hebbalkar said: "We are happy to know that Timmapur women are utilising their Gruhalaxmi grant for religious work. This proves they are thinking about society rather than their individual needs."Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Holi wishes, messages and quotes !