Teak Kali Temple Draws Crowds From Across TG

WAIPET (ADILABAD): A teakwood temple dedicated to Goddess Kali Kankali (Mahankali) at Waipet village in Sirikonda mandal of Adilabad district is drawing hundreds of devotees from across Telangana and beyond. Believers say their wishes have been fulfilled after visiting the temple and receiving the blessings of Kinaka Shambhu Maharaj, who oversees the temple.

While a small Mahankali shrine existed at the site for many years, the new wooden temple — crafted in the likeness of Nepal’s famed Pashupatinath temple — was started during the Covid-19 lockdown. Though some woodwork remains incomplete, the temple is already attracting large crowds due to its unique architecture and spiritual appeal.

The teakwood structure is adorned with intricate carvings of Hindu gods, goddesses and various animals and birds on its wooden walls and pillars inside and outside. Many Adivasis, who consider certain animals, birds and trees sacred as part of their totemic traditions, deeply connect with the symbolism.

Surrounded by forested hills, the temple offers devotees a peaceful atmosphere, with many staying on the premises for two to three days seeking mental calm and spiritual healing. The serene environment and tranquil setting have also begun attracting visitors simply looking to escape their fast-paced lives.

What surprises many is the number of Muslim families who visit the temple and receive blessings from the temple chief Kinaka Shambhu Maharaj, reflecting the spiritual inclusivity the place has come to symbolise. Devotees believe their health has improved, family disputes have been resolved, and peace has returned to their lives following their visit.

Kinaka Shambhu Maharaj, 45, leads a life as unconventional as the temple itself. Once drawn to revolutionary ideology, he admits he was closely associated with Maoist sympathisers till 2000 and was seriously considering joining the movement before marriage. “Back then, I was opposed to the idea of worship and regularly hunted antelopes,” he said. “But one night, Goddess Kali Kankali appeared in my dream and possessed me. With that, everything changed.”

Over time, Maharaj renounced his former beliefs, gave up hunting and embraced spirituality. A visit to Nepal’s Pashupatinath temple deepened his religious transformation. Maharaj, now a full-time spiritual guide, also prescribes Ayurvedic remedies using roots, barks and medicinal herbs to visiting patients. On most days, he can be seen tending to agricultural work around the temple, adding to his self-reliant way of life.

The temple witnesses a steady stream of devotees from Hyderabad and surrounding areas, especially on Tuesdays and Sundays, when the Maharaj is available for darshan and interaction. It is estimated that around 400–500 people visit on these days.

Saroja, a resident of the Peddamma Thalli temple area in Hyderabad, said she and her husband have been visiting for the past eight years—even before the current temple existed. “Back then, it was just a shed. But with Mahankali’s and Maharaj’s blessings, our health issues were cured. We are living a peaceful life now,” she said.

Pendore Laxmi Bai of Shantinagar, Gudihathnoor, said they visit the temple on special occasions and perform traditional animal sacrifices. “Both Adivasis and non-tribals come here in large numbers,” she said. A large jatara is held every April during Hanuman Jayanti. The temple is accessible by road to Sirikonda mandal headquarters, with RTC buses running on the route. From there, devotees travel 14 km to Waipet by private autos or bikes to reach the temple.

Waipet was once considered a stronghold of Maoists. Local people say that Maoists conducted a training camp for their dalams for a month in the forests of Waipet, which top Maoist leaders of undivided Andhra Pradesh and Maoists from Nepal attended in the 1990s.

Many encounters took place between Maoists and the police in this area. Many villagers joined the Maoists and later surrendered to the police. A surrendered Naxalite, the late Durva Nagubai of Waipet, contested on a TD ticket and was elected as MPTC. Shambhu Maharaj too said, “Naxalites did a lot for the welfare and empowerment of the Adivasis and many Adivasis got lands with the help of Maoists in those days when exploitation of forests and land lords was high.”

Naikpod community leader Are Venkatesh, said, "Once , Waipet was a hub of the Naxalites and conditions have changed a lot in the last 25 years and there is no movement of the Naxalites now in this area." He observed that Adivasis have become more religious in recent years due to various reasons compared to 25 years ago.