Illegal temple surfaces on Musi

Langer Houz: Even as the government is planning to beautify Musi River and also set up a Musi Riverfront Corporation, hurdles in the form of several structures obstructing the flow of water are cropping up. The latest is in the form of a temple that sprung up right in the middle of the river.

The temple is being constructed under the Langer Houz and Attapur bridge which has turned into a dumping yard. To discourage people disposing of garbage into river and turn the place into a dumpyard, the Sangam Ram Temple management decided to construct a temple on the path of the Musi.

Recalling the legend behind the temple, a committee member said, “The lingam was sculpted by Lord Rama himself when he was on his way to Bhadrachalam while he was camping at the bank of the Musi.” A number of devotees especially during the month of Kartik Amavasya visit the temple. A grass retailer from near the temple Narsing Reddy said the construction works started about a month ago.

A Shiva temple is being constructed at a junction where the Himayatsagar water and Osmansagar water meet at Langer Houz. The Lingam and guarding deity Nandi are carved on a large boulder on the path of Musi which is being bordered with concrete pillars and an octagonal roof. Management staff from the temple committee Lingiah said, “The problem started when the bridge was constructed in 2012 and people started throwing garbage on top of the idols. To avoid this, the temple committee decided to construct a temple.”

When asked about the land Lingaiah said, “The land belongs to the River Development Corporation but the temple has to be protected.” “The construction is absolutely illegal,” said deputy collector Malathi. The temple structure would be a hurdle to the flowing river to avoid which further steps would be taken. Papers have been filed to various departments and we are waiting for the approval from the higher authority.”

BY mayank tiwari