Plans afoot to begin work

Vijayawada: Krishna district administration is drawing plans to rebuild demolished temples in various new locations in the city. It may be recalled that the local authorities demolished several roadside temples for roads expansion during Krishna Pushkaralu.

• Suggestions to develop temple tourism
• Local authorities demolished several roadside temples for roads expansion during Krishna Pushkaralu
• According to Vishwa Hindu Parishad, nearly 95 temples were demolished 
• Now, the district administration has initially made plans to construct 13 temples only
• The District Collector directed the officials of revenue department and municipal corporation to identify suitable sites in the city limits for the temples construction.

At that time, the decision of the government towards temple demolition became controversial when several seers and Hindutva organisations had conducted a meeting and protested against the government. The government also faced embarrassing situation while executing the city development plan.

Now the government is making plans to reconstruct the temples. The district administration has identified to construct 13 temples, including two temples run by private managements. 

The citizens and Hindutva organisations are suggesting to the government to construct temples on Krishna river side or parks which helps to promote temple tourism. The organisations also demanded the government announce the list of demolished temples and proposed temples.

As per the records, the oldest Seethammavari Paadaalu, Rahu-Ketu temple, Vinayaka temple on the river belt of Krishna, Swayambhu Ammaravari temple at Bhavanipuram, Krishna temple, Bavaji Matham and Boddurai at Radham Centre are prominent temples in the demolished temples list. 

According to Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), nearly 95 temples were demolished at the time of Krishna Pushkaralu. Now, the district administration has initially made plans to construct 13 temples only. The District Collector directed the officials of revenue department and municipal corporation to identify suitable sites in the city limits for the purpose of temples construction.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) vice-president Nagalingam Durga Prasad said the government should announce the list of demolished temples first and conduct a meeting with spiritual and Hindutva organisations. He also said the government had demolished nearly 100 temples, including small temples on roadside. 

Even the officials made announcement towards construction of Hanuman temple at Ragahvaiah Park six months ago, he said and added that it has not materialised so far.

Bharat Vikas Parishad vice-president Zinka Chakradhar, who opposed the demolition of temples in the past, suggested to the government to construct temples at the suitable locations as it helps to develop temple tourism in the city.

Former Durga temple trust board member Jaganmohan Rao said the oldest Boddurai, which was also called Nagara Palakudu and Paathaala Vinayakudu, should be installed at their old places at Radham Centre and Prakasam Barrage. The two idols have decades old history, he said..

By Patibandla Srinivas