Weddings banned at Bhadradri temple?

​Bhadrachalam: The Executive Officer of the Bhadrachalam temple was at it again when he denied permission for a couple to get hitched on the premises of Lord Sri Sitaramachandra Swamy temple here on Friday.

The couple, from Hyderabad, who wanted to get married on the temple premises were in for a rude shock when temple EO K Prabhakar Srinivas refused permission for the couple to tie the knot.

Moreover, on EO’s direction, the temple staff removed the arrangements they have made at the vacant place near Anjaneya Swamy temple where hundreds of couples got married in the last five decades. The couple, however, went to the Kasivisweswara Swamy temple and got hitched finally.

It was said that the EO did not hear to the pleas of temple staff who informed that a number of marriages were performed on the temple premises earlier.

This is not the first time the decision of the EO turned controversial. In the past, he cancelled Dammakka Smruti Yatra and later announced that Dammakka and Sabari Smruti Yatras would be called off. However, he backtracked later when adverse reports appeared in the media.

Likewise, the home guards were removed from service and a security firm was entrusted the responsibility of guarding the temple. This decision was also later reversed.

Speaking to The Hans India, the Executive Officer clarified that marriages were not being allowed on the temple premises due to security reasons.

The temple did not collect any money from the couple from Hyderabad and they were simply told to get married elsewhere. Subsequently, they got married at Siva temple, he added.

BJP district president demanded the EO to recall his order cancelling the marriages on the temple premises. Demanding apology from the EO to the devotees, he said that the decision would adversely affect the visit of the tourists.

He said BJP activists would lay siege to the EO office on Sunday demanding withdrawal of the decision.