Famed Veeranjaneya temple in state of neglect

*Foul smell emanates due to piling up of waste near the temple
*Devotees believe it is auspicious to take holy dip on Sravana Saturdays
*Papagni river not suitable for devotees to take dip in
*Devotees influx expected in the coming days

Chakrayapeta (Kadapa): Sri Veeranjaneya Swamy temple at Gandi in Chakrayapeta mandal was an example of the sheer negligence of the Endowments department. Devotees visiting the famous temple are expressing the grief as the water surrounded it is emanating stench due to piling up of waste which is very close to the sanctum sanctorum.

The Papagni river which is adjacent to the temple also flowing with polluted water. Devotees are scared to take dip in it due to fear of contracting skin diseases. They are angry at the laxity of the Endowment officials for not keeping the temple premises clean.

Lakhs of devotees visit from the district and also from neighbouring districts to have darshan of Lord Veeranjaneya on Sravana Saturdays. Devotees believe it is auspicious to take a dip in the river on Sravana Saturdays. They throng temple in large numbers to take holy dip but the water in the river is not suitable.

Devotees and villagers are demanding the Endowment officials to make the temple premises and river clean in view of devotees’ influx in the coming days. “It would be nice if the authorities take initiative to clean the river and the premises of the temple which is filled with garbage. Lack of proper maintenance is preventing the temple development,” said Subbaramaiah, an elderly person in the village.

But, the temple Executive Officer Guruprasad said that they have been cleaning the temple premises every day but not the river. ‘We have been cleaning the temple premises including piling of garbage and bushes around it. In case of river, we have sent proposals for cleaning to officials concerned and taking stern action against the illegal activities in the premises of the sacred temple,” he added.