Karkala: St Lawrence Shrine, Attur distributes Rs 10.84 lac to beggars donated by pilgrims

Bellevision Media Network

Karkala, 30 Jan 2016: The money collected in the specific offering boxes allotted for beggars at St Lawrence Shrine, Attur, here was equally distributed among themselves on Friday January 29.

 

The begging is banned during annual feast that was held at the Shrine, Attur here from January 24 to January 29. Separate offering boxes were placed in 3 locations at the Shrine, for the devotees to drop their contributions.

 

This year, Rs 10.84 lac was collected in 3 offering boxes during 5-day annual feast, while it was distributed among the beggars depending on their disabilities after free lunch, at the Shrine, Attur, here on Friday.

 

 

Over 1, 500 beggars from across Karnataka and other states were present, while each beggar was handed alms depending on their disabilities. The children and youth who are capable of working were only handed food and no money. The beggars with disabilities were handed food packets and money by the volunteers.

 

Speaking on the occasion, the media representative of Shrine, John D’Silva said, ’The begging was banned on the access road to the Shrine as per government rules not to allow begging in public places, as it poses inconvenience and nuisance to innumerable pilgrims thronging at the premises. The ban remains in force at the Shrine since 16 years. In order to facilitate the pilgrims to contribute their mite, 3 offering boxes were placed in different locations at the Shrine. The offerings pooled on the following day of annual feast and distributed to beggars depending on their disabilities. The beggars were also offered food,’ said John.

 

Pilgrims personally donate their contributions

Its significant that a certain pilgrim Lucas D’Souza family, parishioners of Sastan parish in Udupi offered their contributions personally to the beggars and also snacks this year.

 

Attur parish priest and Shrine director Fr George D’Souza, assistant parish priest Fr Vijay D’Souza, Praveen, Soloman, Roshan and members of ICYM, parish unit were present.