Sangameswara temple set to regain glory for Pushkaralu Rs 90 lakh sanctioned for restoration works

Atmakur (Kurnool): The ancient Sangameswara temple at the confluence of seven rivers is set to regain its past glory for the ensuing Krishna Pushkaralu.

According to the legend, the Pandavas visited the temple in Dwapara Yuga and King Yudhishthira installed the Shivalinga in the sanctum sanctorum.

The main temple and sub-temples at Sangameswaram reflect the rich Chalukyan architecture which dates back to the 11th century.

Sangameswaram shrine got submerged in the backwaters of Krishna River with the construction of Srisailam reservoir.

The temple surfaces when the water level in the reservoir declines. As the temple surfaced after a long gap following decline in the water level in the reservoir District Collector Ch Vijay Mohan took the initiative to make Sangameswaram shrine a major pilgrim attraction for Krishna Pushkaralu by undertaking its restoration works.

A sum of Rs 90 lakh was sanctioned from the Common Good Fund for the temple works. Estimates for the temple restoration works were prepared under the aegis of Deputy Endowments Commissioner B Gayatri Devi.

Endowments Chief Engineer Subba Rao visited Sangameswaram and finalised the temple restoration works. Administrative sanction was given to take up the works within a week.

Six sub-temples and the temple Gopuram will be rebuilt as part of the restoration project. Endowments sculptor Subramanyam will oversee the temple restoration works as per Agama Shastra rules.

The Endowments department is determined to complete the temple restoration works by the end of July. Lakhs of pilgrims are expected to visit Sangameswaram shrine during Krishna Pushkaralu to be held from August
12 to 23.