The famous Shaktipeeth of Birganj is on the south side of the Gahwamai temple complex - the guest house of the temple. The guests who come to Birganj stay in this Dharamshala for a few days and then return to their homes.
Room No. 101 of this Dharamshala is never empty. Shanti Karki has been living permanently in this guest house for almost two and a half years.
``Shanti Didi'' is the former deputy mayor of Birgunj Metropolitan City, who has received immense love and respect from Birgunj residents. Now she is living an 'unknown life'. When she reached the guest house on Tuesday afternoon, she was packing clothes to go to Kathmandu on Wednesday. 'My 97-year-old brother is ill in Kathmandu,' she said, 'My brother wants to meet me, so I am going to Kathmandu.'
Until one and a half years ago, Shanti Didi, who took honorable shelter in a well-wisher's house and used to ride in a smooth carriage, has now become a regular 'caretaker' of the Dharamshala . After he did not stay in office, all the comforts and facilities that he got ended and the well-wishers who were always sitting next to him also moved away. Despite reaching the
position, neither did she earn a fortune that would last her lifetime nor did she build a luxurious bungalow . He doesn't have even 1 dhur of land in Birganj . She says she doesn't even have a bank balance. Her world is around a room in Dharamshala and Gahwamai Temple. She said that she is still trying to keep her 95-year-old life active.
'I get up at 4 in the morning and after my daily routine, I have darshan of Gahwamai. I regularly visit the magantes and businessmen around the temple premises and ask them about their latest news,' she said.
She eats breakfast in the hotel and in the evening she brings 2 breads and vegetables and eats in the room . Apart from the problem of high blood pressure, no major disease has entered his life yet. She says that she was able to live so long because of the love and blessings of Birgunj people. 'There is still a desire to live, the desire to serve the people of Virganj is not dead yet.'
Karki, who dedicated her life to Nepali Congress politics, did not even get married. She is living a single life as there is no family. The brother and his family live in the ancestral home of Kathmandu. She is receiving social security allowance and said that she is making a living from it.
Maisthan Mandir Board Secretary Kanhai Lal Keshari says Shanti Didi will be given free accommodation in guest house for life. "He dedicated his entire life to the service of Birgunj residents, he has won the hearts of the citizens not only through politics but also through social service," he said, "After he became unemployed in the latter part of his life, well-wishers did not allow him to live in their house, so the committee has made a policy to allow him to live free of charge for life."
Keshari says that an air-conditioned room has been arranged for Karki during the current cold wave.
Local businessman Umesh Shrestha said that Shanti Didi is still dedicated to social service. "He has not given up social service even at the risk of his life," he said.
Shrestha says that he is very impressed by Shanti Didi's habit of serving not only people but also animals like dogs and cows around the temple. 'It is hard to believe that there are such tyrant and saintly leaders in today's era "Yes," he said, "the new generation should learn a lot from him."
