Historical temples in pathetic state in Srikakulam

Srikakulam: Even though the State government is giving priority to temple tourism, many historical temples in the district were in pathetic state. Devotees of Srikakulam and adjacent Odisha State are having a strong belief over the historical Koti Lingala Swamy and Janardhana Swamy temple at Baruva in Sompeta mandal. These two temples are having a total of 27 acres of land in Sompeta mandal.

Though the endowment department took over these temple lands in its control but neglected their improvement. Due to recent Titli cyclone, Janardhana Swamy temple main tower was damaged as trees feel on it and walls of Koti Lingala temple was also damaged.

But the endowment officials are apathetic to take repair works. However, the temple priests took over the repair works with the contributions given by the locals. In total, 30 priests’ families are depending on these two temples and they are not even being paid nominal salary by the endowment department.

Though government is mobilising revenue through these temple lands and other sources it is not allotting a single paisa for beautification and other minor repair works. “We are not being paid any salary or even funds for repair of temples and its maintenance as a result we are depending on donations and gifts received from devotees,” said Bhuvaneswara Prasad Panigrahi, Murali Panigrahi, Vipranarayana Panigrahi, Nitish Kumar Panigrahi, Praful Kumar Panigrahi, Viswanadha Panigrahi and Anand Panigrahi, priests of these two temples to The Hans India.

For permanent solution, Rs 3 crore was required, they added. “We have sent proposals for repair works of temples to concerned authorities and waiting for their approval,” said executive officer (EO) of the temples Bammidi Rama Rao.