Arasavalli temple to get facelift

Srikakulam: Sri Suryanarayana Swamy (Sun God) temple at Arasavalli in Srikakulam would be given a facelift as officials started exercise to implement the master plan.

In May 2016, Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu had assured to develop the temple during his tour in the district.
As a part of it, master plan was prepared under the supervision of the then District Collector P Laxminarasimham and it was fizzled out in the midway during the field-level verification as the locals raised objections over the plan.

Again with initiation of Srikakulam MLA Gunda Laxmi Devi, District Collector K Dhanunjaya Reddy started exercise and launched field-level verification in and around the temple, along with joint collector K V N Chakradhara Babu, Srikakulam revenue divisional officer Balivada Dhayanidhi, Srikakulam Municipal Corporation and temple officials.

Due to narrow roads and lack of parking facility, devotees are facing trouble on all auspicious occasions at the temple. Indra Pushkarini premises also should be developed for free flow of water and other facilities around it on par with Puskarini at Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple at Tirumala.

As part of master plan, Indra Pushkarini, Durga temple situated adjacent to Sun God temple premises, streets around it and kitchen would be developed. For all these works, 1.49 acres of land is required and total 79 constructions have been identified in the area.

Out of 79 constructions, 63 are residential houses-cum-shops and other establishments.“For rehabilitation and resettlement of all 63 families and traders, 62 cents of land was identified near the temple and another two acres of land on the outskirts of Arasavalli”, Collector K Dhanunjaya Reddy explained. “We are discussing with each family and trader to convince them in the interest of temple development”, he added.