Tense situation at Muradi Hanuman temple over priest appointment

ANANTAPUR: A tense situation prevailed at the famous Hanuman temple in Muradi in Rayadurgam area after villagers opposed re-appointment of a priest from a family facing allegations over misbehaviour with women and obtained a court order on Tuesday.

Endowment department deputy commissioner Rana Prathap and other staff reached the temple to implement the court orders after appointing a family member of the terminated priest. The villagers and other priests put up stiff resistance.

Anantha Sena was offering poojas as the main priest of Lord Hanuman temple consecrated by Vijayanagar Rajguru St. Vyasaraja Swamy five centuries ago when he was acting as emperor of Vijayanagr empire. The temple draws devotees from AP and Karnataka.

Recently, the main priest Anantha Sena got into a controversy after his wife accused him of luring women devotees coming to the temple. After she lodged a complaint, the endowment department along with the local temple committee removed the priest and appointed another person.

The family of Anantha Sena approached court challenging appointment and sought continuation of the post to the family members by way of hereditary right. The court asked the family to approach the endowment department to solve the issue.

On Tuesday, Kurnool deputy commissioner Rana Prathap and Anantapur staff went to Muradi to solve the issue and appoint a family member of Anantha Sena as the temple priest.

Villagers gathered in large numbers and said they wouldn’t allow this. The Rayadurgam police went to the spot and tried to convince the villagers but in vain.