Unable To Reach The Ganga, This 57-Year-Old Karnataka Woman Dug A 40-Foot Well to Bring 'Ganga' To Her
A 57-year-old farmer from Sirsi, overcame financial constraints by digging a well to bring holy water home. Her dedication to well-digging has earned her recognition and admiration.
Gauri, a 57-year-old farmer from Sirsi, has shown that determination can move mountains, or at least, dig deep wells. Unable to afford a trip to the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, she decided to bring the holy water to her own backyard. Gauri, who works hard on her farm to make a living, dreamed of visiting the Kumbh Mela. But the cost of travel was too high. Instead of giving up, she found a way to fulfill her spiritual wish.
For two months, Gauri spent six to eight hours each day digging a well in her courtyard. She worked tirelessly, removing soil and slowly deepening the hole. By February 15, 2025, she had reached a depth of 40 feet. She believed that by digging this well, she was bringing the spirit of the Ganga River to her home.
According to News18, this isn’t the first time Gauri has dug a well. She had previously dug a well on her farm for irrigation. She also dug a well at the Ganesh Nagar Anganwadi School in Sirsi, providing water for the villagers. When she started digging the well at the Anganwadi school, local authorities tried to stop her. However, with the support of Anant Kumar Hegde, the then-Member of Parliament for Uttara Kannada, she was able to finish the project. That well continues to provide water to the community today.
A Legacy of Well-Digging
This wasn’t the first time Gauri’s well-digging efforts made headlines. In 2021, she was in the news for digging two wells in a single year. Each well, approximately 60 feet deep, took her about 4-5 months to complete. She tirelessly worked day and night, digging wells in the backyard of her house.
When her areca nut plantation faced a severe water shortage, Gauri took matters into her own hands. Without seeking help from anyone, she resolved to dig a well herself. Her determination led her to complete the first well last year, and during the lockdown, she successfully dug another one.
In addition to well-digging, Gauri also works as a coolie and harvests coconuts from trees to sustain herself. Her relentless hard work, especially at her age, has earned widespread appreciation from the locals. Recognizing her dedication and perseverance, the state government, the Women and Child Development Department, Swarnavalli Math, Muruga Math, and several other organizations have honored Gauri for her remarkable achievements.
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