Moved by her devotion, it is told that Lord Venkateswara allowed her to enter the temple after temple hours to hear her poems and songs. Venkamamba recited poems and took 'harati' of the Lord each night and paid pearls as fee to the Lord. Observing pearls in the sanctum sanctorum over a period of time, the priests' investigation led to Venkamamba. Their punishment was to exile her to a cave in Tum
burakona, a distance of 15 miles from Tirumala. The legend goes on that He created a secret passage from the cave to the temple which was used by Venkamamba to continue her devotional service. The practice of penance and night harati continued for 6 years. Eventually, the priests realized their folly and recognized Venkamamba's devotion and dedication, and requested her to return. Upon return, she was allowed to participate in Ekanta seva and take the final harati of the Lord. The area around her samādhi was later converted into a school (S.V.B.N.R high school tirumala), with the samadhi still open for pilgrims' worship in the school playground.
