Unbelievable: 75-year-old woman survives on camphor for 60 years

A 75-year-old woman Padmavathi Devi has been living alone in forest by surviving on camphor, smoke from incense sticks, and drinking tea three times a day. While it sounds unbelievable, the woman said she has had no health issues so far.

Vizianagaram: Raising eyebrows, a 75-year-old woman Padmavathi Devi has been living alone in the woods for 60 years. While is sounds unbelievable, she has been surviving on camphor, smoke from incense sticks, and drinking tea three times a day. The out-of-the-norm story of the woman popping camphor, eating it and inhaling smoke from incense stick is from Pedakada village at Datthirajeru Mandal of Vizianagaram district in Andhra Pradesh.

It was at the age of 15 that the woman set out of her house abandoning her family. She found a hut in Marupallikonda near the village. Even though her family called her back, she refused to go with them. Fearing wild animals, snakes, people were scared even to step in the area. However, Padmavathi did not move an inch back from her quest for spirituality.

Padmavathi is also an ardent devotee of Lord Venkateshwara. After 20 years, a Lord Venkateshwara temple was built on the hill by locals. Electricity and drinking water was arranged there. Padmavathi started living in the temple and took care of the rituals. The temple is open for devotees on every Monday and Saturday.

"The devotees bring milk, fruits, and gifts but I do not accept any of them. I have no health issue so far. I have been surviving by eating only camphor, inhaling smoke from incense sticks and drinking coffee twice a day for 60 years. I don't feel hungry at all," said the woman.