People suffering from chronic diseases, childless couples and those aspiring to get married will make a beeline to the historic Sri Veerabhadra Swamy temple in the sleepy Kuravi mandal of the district for the annual jatara on the auspicious occasion of Sivaratri. People stay here for a day or two offering special prayers and seeking the blessings of the deity.
According to local lore, the Kuravi Veerabhadra Swamy temple was said to have been built during 900 AD by Bheema Raju of Vengi Chalukya dynasty. Later, the renovation of temple was taken up by Kakatiya ruler Betharaju I.
As Kakatiya kings were known to be followers of Lord Shiva, they constructed several temples across the empire and improved those that already existed. Voore Gurunadha Rao, a teacher and social worker of Mahabubabad, said the Kuravi temple has much significance as it attracts thousands of people from far. There were several stories surrounding the magical powers of the presiding deity of Sri Veerabhadra Swamy temple.
Devotees were eagerly waiting for the festivities to begin.
