KURNOOL: Political parties across the spectrum demand restoration of Sri Rama, Sita and Lakshmana idols at Chennampalli Fort and build a make shift temple to allow people to worship them. The revenue divisional officer of Adoni who is overseeing the excavation works has deposited them in the district treasure. A district officer said, “Idols are safely packed and kept in the strong room. We have not lost any attached material to the idols like the mud or other bindings which would help in assessing the history of the objects.”
BJP State vice-president Kapileswarayya demanded building a temple at the site. He said that the idols of Rama and Sita are sacred to Hindus. The unearthing of idols at Chennampalli Fort only reiterates the fact that since days immemorial, lord Rama has been worshipped in this part of the country. Vandalising the fort has forced the culture of the region away from the memories of the people, he added.
Kurnool MP Butta Renuka under whose parliamentary constituency the Fort comes, said that it is legitimate to build a temple at the site and allow the people to worship the idols. She added that she would bring it to the notice of the concerned officials and immmediately take action. Bajrang Dal state co-convener C. Prathap Reddy told that the idols must be consecrated immediately and should be installed at the site. People should also be allowed for worship in the villages. It is a gross negligence and ignorance of government officials to transport the idols from the site to the district treasury.
He said, “For Rama, we can go to any extent. He is our conscience and protection of the heritage of Sri Rama is the duty of every citizen in this country,” he added. The idols, believed to be from the 16th century conforming to the reign of Sri Krishna Deva Raya. Chandrasekhar Kalkura, a historian said that a memorial has to be raised at the site and the idols should be preserved for posterity.
