Historical temples neglected in Srikakulam

• Though government giving priority to temple tourism
• Locals bear burden to improve it

Srikakulam: Even though the state government is giving priority to temple tourism but it is remained on papers as historical temples neglected in Srikakulam district. Koti Lingala Swamy and Janardhana Swamy both are historical temples at Baruva in Sompeta mandal and Baruva also historically known area from medieval era.

Devotees of Srikakulam and adjacent Odisha state are having strong belief over shrines of these two temples. These two temples are having total 27 acres of lands in Sompeta mandal attracted towards these assets endowment department took over the temples in its control but neglected its improvement.

Due to recent Titli cyclone Janardhana Swmay temple main tower damaged as trees feel on it and walls of Koti Lingala temple also damaged but the endowment officials neglected repairs. Locals provided donations and with the amount temple priests performed repairs for it. Total 30 priest families are depending on these two temples and they are not even being paid nominal salary by the department.

Even every year revenue is being earned through lands and other sources but the amount is not allotted for at least even beautification and other minor repairs. “We are not being paid any salary or even funds for repairs of the temples and its maintenance as a result we are depending on donations and gifts received from the devotees” Bhuvaneswara Prasad Panigrahi, Murali Panigrahi, Vipranarayana Panigrahi, Nitish Kumar Panigrahi, Praful Kumar Panigrahi, Viswanadha Panigrahi and Anand Panigrahi priests of the two temples explained to The Hans India. For permanent solution Rs 3 crore required they added. ‘We have sent proposals for repair works of temples to temples development’ executive officer (EO) of the temples, Bammidi Rama Rao explained to this news paper.