Sri Raja Rajeshwara Temple Closed for Development Works
Services such as mokkulu, kalyanams, and other financial offerings will continue at the nearby Bheemeshwara Swamy Temple
KARIMNAGAR: The temple authorities and priests of the famous Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Temple, often referred to as Dakshina Kashi, have temporarily closed the temple and suspended main darshans from Wednesday onwards due to ongoing developmental works at the shrine in Vemulawada, Rajanna Sircilla district.
Temple Executive Officer Rama Devi stated that, in consideration of devotees’ sentiments, services such as mokkulu, kalyanams, and other financial offerings will continue at the nearby Bheemeshwara Swamy Temple. She added that devotees will be able to view the Garbha Gudi (Sanctum Sanctorum) through an LED screen installed outside the main shrine. She appealed to devotees, social organisations, and political leaders to cooperate with the authorities to facilitate the temple’s development works.
Meanwhile, the decision to close the main temple has drawn sharp criticism from local BJP leaders, who staged a protest in front of the temple under the leadership of senior leader Pratap Ramakrishna.
Speaking on the occasion, Ramakrishna said that while the party supports development, the sudden overnight closure with police security has affected many families dependent on the temple for their livelihood. He questioned whether Hindus were being treated like extremists by sealing the temple with police bandobast.
He demanded that the authorities issue a clear public statement on the reasons for the closure and the scope of the renovation works. He also urged that the Dargah within the temple premises be removed before altering any deity statues and requested that darshans not be disrupted for devotees visiting during the Sammakka-Saralamma Jatara.
BJP town president Rapelli Sridhar, Katakam Srinivas, Namala Shekhar, Rahul, and several others participated in the protest.