The destitute were given food packets and alms on the premises of the St. Lawrence Shrine at Attur village near Karkala in Udupi district on Friday.
According to a press release, around 2,000 destitute or alms-seekers received Rs. 10.84 lakh. The tradition of giving alms at the shrine has been on for the last 16 years.
Before this, the needy used to roam about in the area during the annual feast, which used to inconvenience devotees.
Later, the shrine committee put an end to this practice. The devotees or pilgrims were encouraged to deposit their money in two separate boxes for the alms-seekers. The alms collected in these boxes were distributed to them according to their needs after the annual feast concluded, along with food packets.
Lucas D’Souza, a devotee who had come from Sasthan to the shrine, distributed snacks and alms to the destitute on the occasion.
Rev. Fr. George D’Souza, rector of the shrine, and Fr. Vijay D’Souza, assistant parish priest, were present during the distribution.
