Kotappakonda turns into an eco-tourist pilgrim centre

Guntur: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Trikooteswara temple in Kotappakonda is now abuzz with activities in various fields.A sleepy place once, except on the eve of Mahashivaratri, Kotappakonda started gaining momentum in recent times not only as religious shrine, but also as tourist and eco care centre as well. The centuries- old temple is said to be built in 1172 A.D as per the inscriptions and one of the greatest kings of South India, Srikrishnadevaraya was among its chief patrons.

Highlights:

• A sleepy place once, except on the eve of Mahasivaratri, Kotappakonda started gaining momentum in recent times not only as a religious shrine, but also as tourist and eco care centre as well
• During the year 2017-18, many works like re-construction of Thrimukha Sivalingam in front of Rajagopuram with 70 ft. height, establishment of light and sound laser show, providing ropeway from downhill to uphill are to be taken up

To reach the temple one has to climb about a thousand steps, and two unique features of this temple are in and around this temple we cannot see a single crow. Though it is a sacred place of worship for centuries, marriages are not allowed in the premises. In recent times the temple has been given a facelift along with number of facilities and attractions to devotees and to the tourists as well. By providing "Rakthi, Bhakthi and Mukthi"

(entertainment, devotion and salvation) and to make the temple famous all over the world, The present Speaker of Andhra Pradesh Assembly Dr.KodelaShivaprasad took the initiative to createa brand new image for the temple and the village while he was serving as an MLA of Narsaraopeta.With hisefforts, DrPrasad took an active part in granting government funds and involving various philanthropists and state and local bodies to develop Kotappakonda as an integrated project.

Lingachari, an ardent devotee of Kotappa,the local deity who frequents the temple is a happy man with the recent changes taken place in the temple complex. ‘The hill transformed the entire region into a feast for the eyes and the atmosphere is full of devotion’ he says.

Srinivasa Rao, the Executive Officer of Kotappakonda says ‘ During the year 2016-2017 construction of changingrooms, bathrooms and urinal points weretaken up. We also completed the formation of Giripradakshina and fish aquarium.And the most gratifying tasks finished were development of children park and a zoo, though they are tiny in size kids are so hooked to the spots, he explains.The EO says that they are confident in taking up and completing the works like re-construction of

ThrimukhaSivalingam in front of Rajagopuram with 70 ft. height, construction of multipurpose Q Complex with hall, shops, lift etc, establishment of light and sound laser show, providingropeway from downhill to uphill and construction of retaining wall during the year 2017-18.

The Divisional Forest Officerinforms that they have developed Kotappakonda as an eco-tourist centre by providing rainguns, toytrains, deersafari, birds enclosures and they aptly renamed the entire project as ' Prakruti', which means nature. The DFO reminds that Kotappakonda was identified and developed way back in 1999 since then growth can be seen everywhere in the area.

‘The cue was well taken by various educational institutes to visit the religious, touristEco Park and tours are being arranged for tourists from faraway places and surely Kotappakonda is destined to become one of the biggest draws for the public’ he informs.

By D Rajendra Kumar