Guntur, February 14: The Endowments Department’s decision to allow construction of a temple in front of the existing Sri Trikoteswara Swamy temple on Kotappakonda has run into a major controversy.
Kotappakonda is the abode of Lord Trikoteswara Swamy also known as Medho Dakshinamurthy, who is in the form of Lingam.
After obtaining permission from the Endowments Department, DCCB chairman and Congress leader N Sivarama Chandrasekhara Rao and his brother Rattaiah Chowdary started construction of the new temple on Kotappakonda. They are planning to install the idol of Medho Dakshinamurthy in the newly constructed temple.
However, a majority of devotees are of the view that the Lingam in the existing temple itself is Lord Dakshinamurthy and there is no need to construct another temple for installation of a separate idol.
Opposing the construction of the temple by the Congress leaders, TDP leader and former minister Kodela Sivaprasada Rao today undertook a padayatra from Narasaraopet to Kotappakonda covering 15 km.
Kodela argued that construction of another temple on the hill would decrease the religious and historical significance of the temple and it was against Agama Shastra.
He alleged that the temple management failed to preserve its sanctity as liquor bottles and condoms were found in the temple guest house. The shrine had become a safe haven for anti-social activities, he said.
DCCB chairman Rao claimed that he started construction of the new temple one year ago after consulting Sringeri and Pushpagiri pontiffs ‘‘We initially thought of constructing a temple for Rahu and Ketu. But, the Sringeri pontiff suggested construction of a temple for Medho Dakshinamurthy.
He asked us to instal the idol of Dakshinamurthy in human form,” the DCCB chief said. After the death of Rattaiah’s wife, the two brothers decided to construct the temple in her memory.
The construction of the temple is nearing completion. A total sum of Rs 15 lakh has been spent on it so far. A Bangalore-based sculptor is giving final touches to the 4.5 feet Dakshinamurthy idol on Kotappakonda hill. The idol of Dakshinamurthy will be ready in a week. “We do not want to get publicity from the temple construction. We are doing it for religious purpose,” the DCCB chief added.
However, neither the temple authorities nor the Endowments Department officials reacted to the row. ‘‘I do not want to comment on the issue,’’ temple executive officer Annapureddy Ramakotireddy said.
The DCCB chairman is a close associate of cooperation minister Kasu Venkata Krishna Reddy.
Hence, the minister did not make any statement on the row. However, Veda pundit Addepalli Vyasavadhanulu said construction of another temple on the hill was not against Agama Shastra.
–Agencies