The historical Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple, popularly known as ‘Telangana Tirupati,’ at Jamalapuram in Yerrupalem mandal, visited by Kakatiya ruler Prataparudra and Vijayanagara emperor Sri Krishnadevaraya in the bygone era, holds promising potential for promotion of temple tourism in the new State.
Located about 85 km from Khammam town and 6 km from Yerrupalem railway station in serene atmosphere near the Pedda Cheruvu tank, the historical shrine attracts devotees from various parts of southern Telangana districts as well as the neighbouring mandals in Andhra Pradesh.
An impressive statue of Sri Krishnadevaraya was installed in front of the Pongali Mandapam near the temple as part of the celebrations of 500th anniversary of the Vijayanagara emperor’s coronation organised by the then government in 2010.
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The shrine, said to be more than eight centuries old, was taken over by the Endowments Department way back in 1969. However, most of the development works at the shrine were taken up with the support of the donors.
The choultries constructed by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) in the 1970s at Jamalapuram have now become defunct for want of repairs, sources added.
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Although Pedda Cheruvu, the major tank situated about half a km from the shrine, was developed during the previous regime, a grand plan drawn up by the Tourism Department to develop a tank bund park at the site remains on paper.
The ancient Swayambhu Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple at Jamalapuram is believed to be more than 850 years old, says Uppala Srinivasa Sarma, main priest of the shrine.
It received the patronage of emperors of various kingdoms. Kakatiya Prataparudra worshipped the presiding deity of the shrine on his way to Tiruvuru in the bygone era, he says citing some historical references.
Sri Krishnadevaraya offered prayers at the historical temple en route the Kondapalli fort during his “Jaitra Yatra” several centuries ago, he adds.
Jamalapuram flourished as a famous gurukulam under the aegis of Maharshi Jabaali, he recalls.
“We have submitted a memorandum to the TTD authorities seeking establishment of a Veda Pathasala and renovation of the defunct cottages at Jamalapuram,” Mr. Sarma says.
The historical temple town will emerge a major centre of temple tourism in the entire Telangana State if developed comprehensively, says M. Srinivasa Rao, vice-sarpanch of Jamalapuram.
The Tourism Department should take the initiative to develop a tank bund park abutting Pedda Cheruvu, construct a tourism guest house, set up a food court and introduce boating services at the tank, he suggests.