Vemulawada Rajanna Temple Closure Sparks Livelihood Fears

Karimnagar: The sudden announcement to close the historic temple from June 15 for renovation, with no clarity on the budget estimate or completion timeline, created fear among the local traders and devotees. This decision has left thousands of families, especially small traders, flower vendors and daily-wage workers worried about their livelihoods, alleged the BRS leader and Vemulawada constituency in-charge Chalmeda Lakshmi Narasimha Rao, speaking to the media in a press meet held here in Vemulawada of Rajanna Sircilla district on Thursday.

“This is a public temple governed by Agama Shastra. Any development must follow religious protocols and have public consensus,” he said, questioning why the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and other development plans were being kept confidential.

Lakshmi Narasimha Rao further questioned whether an authorised temple architect or Agama expert had been appointed. Raising financial concerns, he pointed out that the temple holds around Rs. 110 crore in fixed deposits and added, “There are rumours that development funds will be drawn from these deposits. If that’s true, devotees have a right to know. Temple funds cannot be used without proper legal permission.”

He also took aim at Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s earlier announcement of Rs.76 crore for temple development. “Not a single rupee has reached the district collector or the Vemulawada Temple Development Authority (VTDA),” he alleged.

Lakshmi Narasimha Rao demanded that the development of the Baddipochamma temple be completed first as a pilot project before initiating large-scale work on the Rajanna temple. He warned that any attempt to rush renovations without proper planning could hurt devotee sentiments, especially with the Sammakka-Sarakka Jatara approaching, which brings a major pilgrim surge and generates over Rs.120 crore in revenue.

“The BRS is ready to support temple development, but it must be transparent, consultative, and non-political. If there’s any personal agenda behind these actions, we will stand with the people and intensify our agitation,” he warned.