Carrying the grandeur of the classical architectural prowess of the glorious Vijayanagara period, the Chennakesava Swamy temple still stands tall at Kallumadi village of Singanamala mandal in Anantapur district. Built between the 14th and 16th century, the temple is gradually losing its sheen, thanks to the apathy of the government. The utter negligence in the upkeep of the temple is evident from the fact that even the presiding deity here has been left to the mercy of the vagaries of nature.
The abundant shrines of Chennakesava Swamy, dotting the entire Rayalaseema region, even extending up to Prakasam district, stands testimony to the reverence the people of the region have for the deity. Particularly, this temple, albeit can’t be conclusively dated back to a specific period, its architectural style is suggestive of the Vijayanagara period, according to the Archaeology and Museums Department.
The temple, a stone structure built out of seven layers of huge rocks stacked one over the other on all sides, features the range of Vijayanagara temple architecture-- Garbha Griha ( sanctum sanctorum ), ante-room and an outer mandapa (hall) - except for the Rayagopura.
The temple also suggests advancement in the construction of architectural adornments on the gopuram, inner walls, facade and alley pillars. The sculptures on hard granite stones are replaced to a great extent by artistic forms of animals and deities depicting Puranas. Made out of lime mortar, they are attached to the stone with astounding precision and stability, staying true to the style of heavy adornment of the shrine that used to be followed in the Vijayanagara temple architecture.
In all these years, the upkeep of the temple is confined to the application of repeated layers of paint by the Endowments Department. The paint layers are not only making the shrine losing its sheen, but also making it brittle, besides masking its architectural brilliance to a great extent. This practice has been followed, notwithstanding the directions of the Archaeology and Museums Department against applying paint on the temple built in stone. Nonetheless, the department reportedly had run out of funds to afford renovating or, much less, repairing even small parts of the architectural adornments.
Things fall apart Chennakesava Swamy, apart from losing its glory, has also been privy to several controversies. The shrine, once used to be illuminated by nine Akhanda Deepams (inexhaustible oil lamps), is now being lit up by the fledgling solitary lamp, which shimmers for only a few hours a day.
Caste equations have stopped people of the village from visiting the temple for the past six years. In 2009, just a few days before the general elections, Harijans demanded entry to the temple, which was opposed by other communities, says Kesava Reddy, an octogenarian and a former dharmakarta of the temple.
Finally, Harijans were allowed entry amid strict police vigil, as violence marked the days preceding it. Ever since, there has been round-the-clock police picket here, says a police constable on duty near the temple.
Since then, all communities, except Harijans, have boycotted the temple. The temple’s erstwhile priest left the temple, probably in search for greener pastures, as the revenue dwindled and the authorities found no replacement. “These days, a destitute woman, who is being paid by the Endowments Department, lights lamp inside the temple twice a day. Nonetheless, it is better than no lamp at all,” laments Mr. Kesava Reddy.
