In a touching act of gratitude and faith, Anna Lezhneva Konidela, wife of Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, offered “ Tala Neelalau” her hair at the sacred Tirumala temple on Sunday. The gesture fulfilled a heartfelt promise she made following a traumatic incident involving her son, Mark Shankar, who recently survived a fire accident in Singapore.
The young Mark Shankar sustained burns on his hands and legs and inhaled smoke during a fire that broke out while he attended a summer camp on April 8. The harrowing experience prompted Anna, a Russian Orthodox Christian by faith, to turn to Lord Venkateshwara in prayer. She vowed to dedicate her hair to the deity if her son recovered and returned home safely.
Following his rescue and medical care, the Kalyan family brought Mark back to India last week. Upon their return, Anna honored her promise by participating in the traditional tonsuring ritual at Tirumala. As per the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) regulations, she signed a declaration affirming her faith in Lord Venkateshwara, before undertaking the ceremonial offering at Padmavati Kalyana Katta.
A press release from the Janasena party described Anna’s devotion and participation in the temple rituals, highlighting the profound significance of faith in times of crisis.
This moment serves as a poignant reminder of how faith transcends boundaries, offering solace and hope in challenging circumstances. Anna’s actions echo a universal sentiment- when life offers its blessings, returning to faith can be a deeply fulfilling act of gratitude.
