Illegal mining at Kothagattu hillock posing threat to Kakatiya era temple

Warangal: A Kakatiya era temple atop Kothagattu hillock at Kothagattu village in Atmakur mandal of Warangal district is under the threat of getting damaged due to granite quarrying allegedly carried out illegally.

It is said that there is an ancient Sri Lakshminarasihma Swamy-Anjaneya Swamy Temple in the hillock spread over 170 acres of land under survey number 35 of Kothagattu village. There are two water ponds near the temple, which are used to take a holy dip prior to offering prayers at the temples.

But the hillock is being eaten away because of uncontrolled quarrying and stone crushing units run by some persons. The blasting of rocks carried out by them at the hillock is also posing threat to houses at Kothagattu village, complained a resident E Shravan Kumar.

The villagers have staged several protests and complained to local officials, but no action was taken so far in stopping the mining activity at the hillock. Under pressure from political leaders, the officials of mining, police and revenue departments seem to be ignoring the complaints, he noted.

“There are many legends, which say Kothagattu Temple is as significant as Kondagattu Anjaneya Swamy Temple near Karimnagar. The water pond on the hillock never goes dry even in summer and the water flowing down the hillock is used for agriculture needs,” Shravan Kumar told The Hans India on Tuesday.

Kakatiya rulers used to visit the temple to offer prayers. Despite the importance of the temple, it is neglected for long by the endowments and archaeological departments while treasure hunters vandalised temples’ sanctum sanctorum. Mining activity at the hillock is also posing threat to flora and fauna.

He informed the issue of danger posed by quarrying at the hillock is taken to the notice of Warangal Rural District Collector M Haritha. The official directed the revenue officials concerned to submit a report by inspecting the spot.

An RTI petition submitted a few months ago seeking information whether the mining activity at the hillock is permitted or not, is still remained unanswered and it proves the fact the mining activity is being carried out illegally, Shravan Kumar, the convener of Warangal Rural BJP RTI wing convener claimed.

It is sad to damage the hillock having a sacred structure atop. Endowments and archaeology departments along with Kakatiya University history department shall study the history of the temple and initiate measures to preserve it for posterity, averred the villagers K Nagaraju, B Avinash and M Pochaiah.