Monkey's Overnight Vigil for Elderly Benefactor Moves Karnataka Village
In the serene village of Rayara Doddi, located in Channapatna taluk of Bengaluru South district, an extraordinary scene unfolded this week that has captured hearts across the internet. An 85-year-old woman named V Parvatamma, who passed away from a heart attack on Monday, was honored in death by an unlikely mourner—a monkey from a local temple troop she had fed for years.
A Bond That Transcended Species
Parvatamma, belonging to a farming family, was well-known in her community for her regular visits to the nearby Anjaneya Temple with her husband Venkataiah. During these visits, she would consistently feed the monkeys that inhabited the temple grounds. This compassionate practice continued even after her husband's death in 2010 and her subsequent move to live with her daughter Premamma near Channapatna. Despite advancing age limiting her temple visits, Parvatamma would return to the village periodically, always maintaining her special connection with the primates.
"Though she generally feared animals, she made an exception for these monkeys," Premamma recalled, highlighting the unique relationship her mother had cultivated.
The Heartbreaking Farewell
When Parvatamma's body was kept at her home for traditional last respects, one particular monkey from the temple troop arrived unexpectedly. The animal climbed beside the elderly woman's body and embraced it, appearing to weep. According to family members, the monkey remained steadfast through the night, unmoved by the gathering crowds.
"It climbed beside my mother's body and hugged her. It looked like it was weeping," Premamma told reporters, describing the emotional scene. "Someone offered it a banana around midnight. It ate it and came back to be by my mother's side."
The Viral Moment and Community Response
The unusual vigil continued until daybreak, when the family needed to proceed with cremation arrangements. They called upon a local snake catcher to safely remove the grieving monkey, which was later released near the Anjaneya Temple where Parvatamma had fed it for years.
Video footage of this interspecies farewell, captured by Parvatamma's nephew Abhishek and other villagers, quickly spread across social media platforms. The clips show the monkey's persistent presence beside the body, creating a powerful visual testament to the bond between human and animal.
A Legacy of Compassion
This incident has not only moved the local community but has also sparked conversations about animal intelligence and emotional capacity. Parvatamma's consistent kindness toward the temple monkeys created a connection that clearly resonated deeply with at least one member of the troop.
The story serves as a poignant reminder of how simple acts of compassion can forge unexpected relationships across species boundaries. As the video continues to circulate online, it stands as a touching memorial to both Parvatamma's generosity and the monkey's apparent grief, illustrating that bonds of care can transcend even the most fundamental biological differences.
