Deep inside the Damagundem Reserve Forest is an ancient Ramalingeswara temple. In summer afternoons, children from nearby thandas come and frolic in the water of the square water tank which has a small Shivling in the middle under a small temple. The name of the forest is derived from the tale of the two brothers Damaya and Gundaya who built this temple and dug the Gundem (well).
“Every year during Ugadi there is a big jatara here. All this forest area is taken over by people who come from far off villages to pray here on the auspicious occasion. They pitch their tents, cook and eat here. We don’t know what will happen once the Navy takes over this forest. They have promised us access once a year but we are not so sure,” says Ramachandriah who takes care of the temple. “There are various small villages like Oturpalli, Gongupalli, Purudu, Gudupalli and Tirumalapuram that will be affected. I don’t know what I will do and where I will go once officials ask us to move out,” said Ramachandriah.
The gundam (pond) of the temple is considered sacred and all pilgrims whether male or female make it a point to take a dip.
The forest is also home to small water bodies that remain filled with water through the year as they are in valleys created by the forest ridges. Birds like painted storks flock these ponds along with storks, herons while peacocks and small animals can be spotted in the morning.
