Sangameswaram temple lands encroached

Srikakulam: The historical Shiva temple at Sangameswaram in Vanagara mandal is facing financial crisis as the temple lands were encroached by some farmers.

The temple established by kings of Bobbili dynasty at Sangam village popularly known as Sangameswaram, where three rivers Nagavali, Vegavathi and Suvarnamukhi are merging. Devotees believe that taking a holy dip at Sangam during Shiva Ratri festival will clear all sins and problems.

The Bobbili kings donated 42 acres of fertile lands to the temple in Sangam village covering under survey numbers 75 and 76. But due to negligence of endowment officials, the land share amount has not been collecting from tenant farmers for the last several years.

Some farmers are not paying the amount regularly every year. Even the temple officials have also no clear records relating to the extent of land and tenant farmers, as a result, the temple is losing its revenue every year and officials are unable to provide material for regular pujas and prayers. Farmers and locals, who are in occupation and cultivation of temple lands, are claiming rights and they are resisting officials also.

A road also leading in between the temple lands and as a result, heavy demand is witnessing for these lands from locals and to cash the situation persons who are in occupation are trying to claim rights.

Temple executive officer K Sarveswar Rao told The Hans India that survey has not been conducted for temple lands for the past many years due to various unknown reasons. “We will create all records for temple lands soon after conducting field verification,” he said.