Endowments officials pin the blame on ASI
The historic 9th Century old temple of Lord Bheemeswara Swami in this tiny town, which is known as Dhakshina Kasi and about 45 km from Rajahmundry, is in a dilapidated condition and devoid of basic amenities.
The temple is under the Endowments Department which is blaming Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for the present poor condition of the temple. However, ASI officials refuting the charge and instead are advising the Endowments Department to approach their higher officials for taking up make-shift arrangements without touching permanent structures in the temple.
The temple was built by the Eastern Chalukyan King of Vengi - Bhima, during very troubled times (9th -10th centuries), when his kingdom was under attack by the Rashtrakootas. Inscriptions reveal that he had to fight as many as 360 battles. The Draksharamam temple contains as many as 400 inscriptions dating back to the 11th century. After taking over, the ASI officials did not allow Endowments department to take up any development work or provide any basic amenities. “We appealed to ASI officials several times in last two years about constructing a door in place of window on the west side of the temple to keep open only on festive days,” said K.N.V.D.V. Prasad, Executive Officer of the temple.
The temple authorities have sent proposals worth about Rs.1.30 crores to construct a drinking water tank, sulabh complex, changing rooms for women, foot-bridge from Bedamandapam to main entrance, construction of gosala, kesakhandanasala, Vahanasala, Yagasala, Nityannadanam hall and rest rooms, Saptha Godavari tank de-silting, high-max lights to temple, re-wiring entire temple and other works. But, there was no response from the ASI, Hyderabad even after one year, temple authorities said. Anjaneyulu, Conservatory Assistant of ASI, Kakinada said the higher officials in Hyderabad would give permission for make-shift arrangements without disturbing permanent structures.
Keywords: Draksharama temple
I am a native of Draksharamam. Like most ancient religious places in India, Bhimeswara temple also is in a sad state of disrepair with officials from various state and central government agencies pointing fingers at one another. It is part of a larger malady afflicting the country as a whole. Religion in India is looked upon as good business. It requires no capital and no running costs. You only need to look at the enormous corruption in Tirumala temple. Bhimeswara temple is not lacking in money. It is just swindled while devotees and visitors lack rudumentary amenities. The congress party and its various governments are busy building churches with public money while India's ancient religious heritage continues to wane and disappear. Governments and crooks continue to make enormous money out of this heritage though.
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