Hundreds of pilgrims, who had thronged the Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple here on Wednesday, were left high and dry following the visit of Chief Minister K.Chandrasekhar Rao to the temple.
Police and the temple staff barred the entry of vehicles to the hill-top shrine, leading to untold misery for pilgrims. Being the sixth day of the annual Brahmotsavams, a large number of devotees arrived at the temple from all parts of the State, but the police stopped all vehicles, except RTC and mini-buses owned by the temple.
Several elderly devotees and children were forced to walk for a long distance.
Hotels closed
The hill shrine almost wore a deserted look half an hour before the Chief Minister’s visit, since the police did not allow the devotees to move around. Pilgrims were seen waiting for hours together to reach the temple and then trek down the hill to catch a vehicle.
Police saw to it that all the business establishments, including hotels, were closed. Barring prasdam and drinking water, nothing was available.
Media personnel, who arrived in large numbers, also faced restrictions. Journalists could not follow the Chief Minister’s entourage, which inspected the nook and corners of the temple for more than an hour.
Speaking to The Hindu , K. Lakshmaiah, a devotee from Ghatkesar, said that they suffered a lot with the restrictions imposed by the police.
