Page 184 - Demo

coastal Andhra. It is no wonder that even today people of the region venerate him and think of him as a karma yogi! PVG Raju died on November 14th, 1995 during Kartikamasam. This is an auspicious month for all Telugu people, a month of spiritual and religious fervour. It has special significance for both Vaishnavites and Shaivites. Devotees pray to attain moksha that is believed to wipe out sin and offer release to the soul. The temples of Andhra and even across most of South India, are filled with pilgrims. The pious take part in vanabhojanalu - outdoor cooking and feasting. Community spots, picnic spots, forests, even the beaches are filled with people.PVG Raju had attended the wedding of his granddaughter at Simhachalam temple five days prior to his death, in a very small and intimate function. Everybody in the family met him along with relatives who had come from outside. They all realized that he was ailing. He had been ailing for some years. Eight years ago, he had been unable to sit to carry out the kanyadaanam of his youngest daughter Sudani. Over the last few years prior to his death, he had been in and out of hospital because of cardiac issues. That same year, he had been hospitalized for two months after a fracture of his shoulder and his pelvic bone. He had had shoulder pain subsequently. But typical of him, he had never complained and never told anyone what he was going through and stoically bore that pain. Despite his failing health and the discomfort of his circumstances, his daughter recalls that there was a deep calmness about him. Whether he was happy or not is another question, but he was at peace.170