From Draksharama to Divinity
Just 40.8 km—1 hour 35 minutes
"Not a house, A temple"
Why To Visit
Try to visit Lankala Gannavaram and spend at least 5 minutes in Seethamma’s house .
It’s not just a home—it’s the temple of Annapurna Devi .
As per Kasi Khandam, when Sage Vyasa was cursed by Annapurna, a part of Kashi Viswanath’s shakti moved to Draksharamam in South India .
It's believed that Vyasa visits Draksharamam daily in his sookshma shareera (subtle body) to pray to Vishwanatha .
Naturally, Annapurna followed her husband, and she resides here as Dokka Seethamma .
Her house is a living shrine of divine compassion and eternal service .
A Legacy of Hospitality
Seethamma inherited her charitable nature from her father, Bhavani Shankaram—fondly known as 'Buvvanna' (buvva means food in Telugu).
Known for his hospitality, no one ever left his home hungry.
A Blessed Union
When Seethamma was around ten , the renowned scholar Joganna visited their home.
Unfazed, she cooked and served him with heartfelt hospitality . Moved by her virtue, he later expressed his wish to marry her , saying a girl like her would bless generations.
Buvvanna, who knew him well, agreed . Seethamma then moved to Lankala Gannavaram , a serene island between the Vasishta and Vainatheya branches of the Godavari .
Joganna was not only wealthy but also a wise, pious, and generous man .
A Sanctuary for the Weary
There was never a lack of resources at home, so Seethamma continued feeding hundreds daily —regardless of caste or religion .
Gannavaram, being a key junction , saw many travelers passing through. With no hotels and limited, caste-based lodges —often unwelcoming—wayfarers from afar needed food and shelter.
Seethamma welcomed them all with motherly love , serving each one like family.
Compassion Beyond Fear
Once, two pearl merchants from Nellore fell ill with smallpox while staying in a village lodge during an epidemic.
With no phones and no help, they were asked to leave due to fear of contagion.
Hearing this, Seethamma brought them to her home out of compassion.
Though others stopped eating at her place out of fear , she rented a room nearby and personally cared for them for three months .
The merchants, once recovered, were deeply grateful and credited her for saving their lives. But Seethamma humbly gave all credit to God .
When they offered pearls and corals as thanks, she refused, saying, “If I accept anything for a good deed, it won’t reach God.” That was her noble heart .
Seeing the Divine in the Hungry
Seethamma never left her village , fearing her guests might go hungry .
But she had one wish — to see Lord Nrusimha at Antarvedi .
One day, she set out in a doli (palanquin) for darshan.
On the way, the bearers paused to rest by the roadside .
Seethamma noticed hungry children crying in a pilgrim group nearby.
The parents consoled them, saying, “Just half an hour more — Seethamma will feed us like Annapurna Devi .”
Hearing this, Seethamma was moved .
She said, “How can I go see God when hungry children cry? Isn’t He in them too?”
She asked the bearers to turn back .
By the time the family arrived, she had already cooked and laid out food .
That was Seethamma’s boundless love and devotion .
A King in Disguise
News of Seethamma’s annadanam (food donation) spread far and wide.
The Raja of Pithapuram heard about her and thought, “How can an ordinary woman gain such fame when kings do more charity?”
Curious, he visited her house in disguise with his Diwan .
They sat on the pyol (veranda) and quietly observed.
Seethamma served food with love all day and late into the night .
The Raja was amazed by her selfless service .
They chose to sleep there that night, lying down on the pyol .
Her humble service won even a king’s admiration .
When Royalty Bowed to Service
After feeding the last guest , Seethamma came out with a lantern to check if anyone was still hungry.
She looked at every face and noticed the disguised Raja and Diwan hadn’t eaten.
She woke them gently and invited them inside .
They said they weren’t hungry, but she insisted .
The Raja hesitated and claimed he was unwell .
Seethamma offered to cook a light meal just for him and a full dinner for the Diwan .
She served them with care and said, “If anyone sleeps hungry, I feel hungry too.”
Her words moved the Raja to tears .
By morning , she was already preparing breakfast for new guests .
Deeply touched, the Raja revealed his identity and offered to gift her a village in honor of her unmatched annadanam.
Her compassion left even royalty speechless .
A Mother's Priority
Seethamma’s fame spread far and wide—even reached London .
King Edward VII was celebrating his coronation anniversary in Delhi .
He wanted Seethamma to attend the event as a guest of honor .
He sent the Collector of Visakhapatnam to escort her with royal respect .
But Seethamma politely declined .
“I couldn’t even go to nearby Antarvedi,” she said. “How can I go to Delhi and leave my children hungry?”
Her devotion to serving the hungry was greater than any royal invitation .
Global Reverence
Hearing Seethamma's refusal, the king requested at least her photo so he could pay respects before sitting on the throne.
Seethamma initially declined , but agreed when the officer pleaded, fearing job loss .
The king enlarged the photo , placed it in her reserved front-row seat , offered salutations , and began the celebration .
Artists later made oil paintings based on that photo .
On January 1st, 1903 , the king installed a life-size portrait of Seethamma in the Royal Palace’s assembly hall in London .
That portrait remains there to this day .
An Empty House, A Full Heart
Joganna was once wealthy , but continuous charity drained their resources .
During a severe famine , harvests failed and income dropped sharply .
The number of guests increased from hundreds to thousands due to hunger .
Even villagers who couldn’t feed themselves came to Seethamma’s home .
Unshaken, she sold every item in the house to keep feeding everyone.
Eventually, a day came when everything was gone — not even food for the evening meal .
Yet, her spirit of service remained unshaken .
The Ultimate Sacrifice
That afternoon, a brahmachari (young seeker) arrived .
“Amma, I’m hungry, feed me,” he said .
Seethamma had just enough food for herself and Joganna .
Without hesitation, she served her share to the guest .
Just before eating, he said, “I want to marry, but need a jewel to satisfy the girl’s family . Give me yours.”
Seethamma was ready to give it, but Joganna hesitated .
She gently said, “What use is this jewel to me? It can settle his life. I can’t send him away hungry.”
Her kindness knew no limits—even in times of nothing, she gave everything .
A Divine Test
The brahmachari took the jewel and ate to his heart’s content .
Before leaving, he blessed Seethamma: “Narayana anugraha praapthirasthu” (May you receive Lord Narayana's grace).
After he left, Seethamma was surprised to find the jewel under the stool .
She searched for him, but he was nowhere to be found .
That afternoon, she took a nap .
In her dream, Lord Vishnu appeared and said, “I came as the brahmachari to taste your hospitality. The jewel request was a test—I’m pleased with you.”
Even the Lord came down to honor her pure-hearted service .
The Divine Reward
Lord Vishnu told Seethamma in her dream , “Don’t worry about feeding guests—Lakshmi Devi herself is coming to your home .”
She woke up joyfully and shared the dream with her husband .
That evening, while digging their field, they discovered two pots full of gold coins .
Her dream had come true, allowing them to continue annadanam without interruption .
Through this, Seethamma attained atmasaakshaatkaara (self-realization) .
From that moment, the divine energy within her grew immensely .
Her selfless service turned into spiritual greatness .
Hearts Changed by Love
Two thieves learned about the gold coins and planned to steal them.
One evening, they waited outside Seethamma’s house until everyone slept .
As always, Amma came out with her lantern to check for hungry guests.
She spotted the men and invited them inside for food .
Though they said they weren’t hungry, she insisted with love .
She served them a delicious meal with affection .
Touched and ashamed , the thieves fell at her feet and confessed their intentions.
Her kindness transformed hearts—even of those who came to steal .
Hope in Times of Despair
In the nearby village of Perur , there was a severe water shortage .
Villagers dug 10 wells, but all had saline water .
They approached Seethamma for help .
She comforted them, saying, “Lord Narayana will help you” .
She gave them ₹50 to dig another well with faith and hope.
Her kindness and faith brought hope even in times of despair .
The Power of Pure Service
A zamindar’s daughter became violent and uncontrollable —no doctor could cure her .
A mystic discovered she was possessed by a brahmarakshasa .
The spirit said, “If Dokka Seethamma transfers her merit from saving a Harijan, I’ll leave the girl’s body” .
The mystic advised the zamindar to take the girl to Seethamma .
The girl was so violent, even four men couldn’t control her .
Seethamma willingly offered all her spiritual merit to save the girl .
As soon as the merit was transferred, the girl calmed down and became normal .
She sat with her father and ate food served by Seethamma .
Seethamma never performed rituals or worshipped gods—her only sadhana was feeding the hungry from dawn to dusk .
Her pure service earned her immense divine power and grace .
A Final Promise
In 1908, Seethamma developed a cancerous growth on her hand .
Despite the pain, she continued her service using her other hand .
When asked why a divine soul like her should suffer, she smiled and said, “This is another account—karma from a past life.”
She chose to endure it to clear her karma .
Before passing, she gathered her children and said,
“My time has come. Promise me—never send away a hungry guest from our door.”
Her only wish: to be born into a charitable family in her next life .
She suffered for a year and passed away on April 28, 1909 , at the age of 68.
Even in her final moments, her heart beat for others—pure, selfless, eternal compassion .
A Nation's Gratitude
Years later, Lok Sabha Speaker Balayogi visited the Royal Palace .
He was surprised to see Seethamma’s photo there and felt sad she hadn’t received due recognition in her homeland .
At the time, an aqueduct was being built on the Godavari near Gannavaram to irrigate 45,000 acres .
He named it Dokka Seethamma Aqueduct in her honor .
A bronze statue of Seethamma was also installed there .
The king had once sent her a certificate for her charity .
Seethamma humbly rejected it , but his men insisted and hung it on the wall .
At last, the nation began honoring the mother who fed countless hearts with love and compassion .
The Legacy Continues Today
Dokka Seethamma Midday Meal Scheme Highlights
- Scope: Implemented across 475 Government Junior Colleges statewide.
- Impact: Eradicating hunger for 1,48,419 underprivileged students daily.
- Budget Allocation: ₹27.39 Crores allocated for the current academic year, and ₹85.84 Crores planned for the next academic year.
- Inspiration: Initiated by the AP Government, honoring the noble spirit of Dokka Seethamma alongside the establishment of Dokka Seethamma Canteens.
The Stormy Night Rescue
Around 1900, on a stormy night , a Man was heading to Gannavaram .
He crossed one river but was trapped by a flash flood in the second .
Stranded on a mound, water up to his knees, cold, hungry, and terrified .
He cried out, “Amma Seethamma, feed me—I’m dying of hunger”
In nearby Lankala Gannavaram, Seethamma—a saintly woman and embodiment of Annapurna Devi —woke up startled, hearing his cry.
Like a mother to her child, she packed food, water, dry clothes, and blankets .
Though her husband warned it was dangerous, she insisted they go by boat .
They found the man, fed him, clothed him, and brought him back home .
She nursed him for two days until he regained strength .
Today, such love and hospitality are rare —but to Seethamma, every hungry soul was her own child .
Dokka Seethamma proved that pure service is a path to the divine .
