Telangana rebuilds ancient temple

Govt spends 1,800 crore on Yadagirigutta

The ancient Yadagirigutta temple of Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy will be transformed into Yadadri, akin to hill temple Tirumala by February 2018. This has become possible with a massive grant of Rs 1,800 crore made by the Telangana government, dedicated work of 500 stapathis (sculptors) and latest technology under the watchful eyes of newly constituted Yadagirigutta Temple Development Authority (YTDA).

Located some 50 km from Hyderabad, the ancient temple is known as Pancha Narasimha Kshetram. The legend says that in Treta Yuga, sage Yadarishi, son of Rishyasrunga and Santa Devi, did penance inside a cave with the blessings of Anjaneya on the hills between Bhongiri and Raigiri. Pleased with his devotion, Lord Vishnu appeared in five different forms as Jwala, Yogananda, Gandabherunda, Ugra and Lakshinarasimha. All the five forms are still worshipped here.

The transformation of Yadagirigutta into Yadadri, rechristened by seer Ramanuja Chinna Jeeyar Swamy, began with Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, an ardent devotee of the temple, wishing to recreate the congested temple into an architectural marvel. He established the YTDA under the Urban Areas Development Act, 1975. The authority is headed by the chief minister. After consolidation of seven villages, namely Yadagiripally, Saidapur, Mallapur, Datarpalli, Gundlapally, Raigiri and Basavapur, under the YTDA, encroachments were removed from the 14 acres surrounding the temple on the main hill, now called the Yadadri.

Soon, Sunshine Infra Engineers was selected for the construction of retaining wall and other civil work on the hillock. Art director Anand Sai of Ealain Events Pvt Ltd submitted designs as per Aagama, Vaastu and Pancharatra Sastras. Anand Sai has associated himself with the stapathis of the endowment department and archakas while designing the new temple which is expected to last for over 1,000 years. The temple designs have been approved by the seer and the decision to rebuild the temple as per the new plan was taken on May 30, 2016.

Ahead of the decision, the main temple of Yadagirigutta was closed on April 21, 2016 and the daily rituals began at the temporary “Balalayam”. Pilgrims have been allowed only inside the Balalayam. “However the sanctum sanctorum of the temple was not touched and all the daily poojas are being conducted at the old temple as per Agama Shastra,” temple executive officer Geetha Reddy said. The new temple will be ready by Brahmotsavam in February 2018 or Narasimha Jyanthi of 2018 which falls in May. “Eventually the Balalayam and the temporary Kalyana Mantapam will be removed to provide space for Brahmotsavams, similar to the four Mada streets of Tirumala,” she added.

The temple with Lord Narasimha as presiding deity which occupied only half an acre earlier will now be spread across 3 acres and a Brahmotsavam area of 11 acres which could accommodate 15,000 devotees at any given time. Construction work on the seven gopurams is in progress. Superstructure work for two gopurams at the entrance and the exit are nearing completion. Work on seven-storeyed Maharaja gopuram is under progress.

“No mortar or brick has been used in the construction of the temple. As per the temple architecture of the Kakatiya rulers of the Telangana region only “Krishna Sila”, the black granite procured from a single quarry in Gurijepalli of Andhra Pradesh, has been put to use,” Kishen Rao, adviser of the YTDA, said. A Giri Pradakshana, a 2.7-km road, has been developed for the devotees to circumambulate the hillock as a ritual. A 160-metre ring road linking four different highways passing through Yadadri has been developed for smooth movement of traffic.

“The state government has granted Rs 1,800 crore for the entire project. So far, Rs 300 crore has been released and spent. We believe that we will be able to finish the temple work with another Rs 200 crore. Remaining amount will be spent on developing infrastructure and the upcoming temple city,” Kishen Rao said. A major chunk of the funds released by the state government has been spent on land acquisition from private owners. After the completion of work, the footfall which is around 10,000 to 15,000 per day is expected to touch 30,000 to 60,000 and the income of the temple is also expected to cross Rs 100 crore per year.

The main attraction of the temple will be the Alwar Mantapam with 12 Alwars of the Vaishnavaite sect in standing position barring Nammalwar who will be in sitting position. Chief stapathi Soundarajan says that each pillar is made of black granite. “The total weight of each pillar will be around 85 tonne. They have been divided into three pieces each so that the cranes can lift them. Around 100 artisans from Karaikudi and Pudukkottai are working at a brisk pace at the camp near the temple. Sculpting was done in six camps, including Allagadda, Marteru, and Gurijepalli in Andhra Pradesh.

Apart from the 108 feet bronze Hanuman idol, the stone work for Mukha mantapam, Prakara, Ramanuja Kutam, Yagashala, Addala Mantapam, Ashtothara mantapam, Parakamani, Vahanashala, Peshkar, Swayambhu Anjaneya, Yada Maharishi, Prahlada, Simha Padam, Balapadam is under progress and the stones are ready to be lifted to the hillock for assembly. Similarly work is also in progress for the 10 lakh litre capacity “pushkarini” for the Lord’s Chakrasnana.

A central bus terminus in the shape of “Govinda Namas” will be built with elevated roads linking the national highways. As no private vehicle will be allowed on the hillock. All devotees are expected to reach the temple only through the terminus.