Archive · 15 Sep 2025
Man Sells Home to Build Free Library of 2 Million Books
Anke Gowda, a 75-year-old man, has spent his life collecting books.
He started when he was 20 and now has a library with almost two million books!
He even sold his house to make the library bigger.
It's called Pustaka Mane and has books in many languages.
Anyone can visit and read for free.
He hopes to share knowledge and inspire learning for generations, and now the library is seen as a cultural landmark.
Anke Gowda has built a personal library with nearly two million books.
He started collecting books at age 20 and spent most of his income on them.
The library, Pustaka Mane, includes books in over 20 languages and rare books.
Gowda sold his house to fund the library's expansion.
The library is free and open to everyone, serving as a cultural landmark.
- Who
- Anke Gowda, a 75-year-old man.
- What
- He sold his house to expand his personal library, Pustaka Mane.
- When
- Over five decades, starting at age 20.
- Where
- Haralahalli village, near Mysuru, Karnataka.
- Why
- To create a free library with nearly 2 million books for all.
- Name
- Anke Gowda
- Age
- 75
- Location
- Haralahalli village, near Mysuru, Karnataka
- Library Name
- Pustaka Mane (Book House)
- Book Count
- Nearly 2 million
- Languages
- Over 20
- Access
- Free for all