Hyderabad: Owaisi bats for facelift to Lal Darwaja temple

Hyderabad: One of the most popular temples in the city – 'Simhavahini Mahankali' temple, popularly known as Lal Darwaja temple, is set to get a facelift soon, thanks to MIM floor leader in the Assembly Akbaruddin Owaisi.

Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao has accepted Owaisi's request for earmarking Rs 10 crore for the development of the 100-year-old temple.

Akbaruddin called on the Chief Minister on Sunday and submitted a memorandum urging the government to develop the temple, where the world-famous Lal Darwaja Bonalu is held every year.

He said that the temple could not be developed due to lack of space. As a result, devotees were facing problems particularly during Bonalu at the temple.

The MIM leader said, "Lal Darwaja Mahankali Temple has more than hundred years of history. During Bonalu, lakhs of people offer prayers in the temple complex situated in just a 100-square-yard area.

Due to the congested area, it is causing immense problems to lakhs of the devotees. There is a need to develop the temple and widen it at a cost of Rs 10 crore." With the expansion of the temple, people in the vicinity will lose properties.

He also requested to compensate the affected by providing 800-square-yard land at Fareed Market which is under GHMC. During the meeting, Akbaruddin reminded KCR that the latter had offered a Golden Bonum to the deity wishing for a Golden Telangana in 2014.

Akbaruddin also requested the CM to sanction Rs 3 crore for the renovation and repairs to the Afzalgunj Masjid. He said that due to lack of repairs, people are facing inconvenience while offering prayers at the masjid.

The CM assured that funds for the temple and masjid would be released and instructed Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar to take necessary measures for the development of these two places of worship.