Spic and span in front of temple, dirt and grime behind remises

The Prasanna Venkataswamy Temple at Chikkatirupathi in Malur taluk is one of the most popular tourist spots of Kolar district. The temple draws a large number of devotees from across the State.

However, what is appalling is the fact that the temple does not have any basic facilities and infrastructure to offer to the scores of visitors who turn up to the temple town. Apart from boarding and lodging facilities, there is neither cleanliness nor hygiene, in around the temple premises.

The temple has a century-old history to its credit and comes under the jurisdiction of the Muzrai department. Apart from the daily religious ceremonies, special poojas are held to mark important events like Vaikunta Ekadashi, Brahmarathotsava, Shravana Saturdays, Kalyanotsava, new year programmes, abhisheks, etc. Devotees from the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu also arrive in thousands to the temple town.

Inspite of drawing a large number of devotees, it is unfortunate to note that there are no
proper systems in place to cater to the needs of the visitors, who even come from far-flung areas. In fact, every Sunday, devotees organise mass marriages on the temple premises, to fulfil their vows. At least 60 couple enter into wedlock, on an average every week.

None bothered

In order to facilitate the kith and kin of the bride and bridegroom, pendals are erected outside the temple premises to provide them boarding and lodging facilities. And once the marriages are over, the entire area is strewn with plastic glasses, plantain leaves, leftovers and other waste items. This is a great eyesore to the people who have arrive to the temple. Neither the administrative council of the temple, nor the Chikkatirupathi Gram Panchayat is bothered about the cleanliness. Thus, mounds of garbage have been piled up around the temple.

And those devotees who have pledged to offer their hair, often seek hot water for batch. They are forced to shell Rs 10 per bucket, to clean themselves. Since, Chikkatirupathi does not offer any boarding or lodging facilities, most of the devotees who arrive from far-off places, have to visit Malur or Sarjapur, as the nearest locations for a halt.

The drinking water problem was of a serious nature at the temple town. A lots of devotees faced tremendous problems due to lack of pure drinking water. In order to address the woes of the thirst devotees, recently, the temple’s development committee and the managing committee, under the leadership of the local MLA, K S Manjunath, an overhead tank was constructed with a capacity of 50 litres. An amount of Rs nine lakh has been spent for the construction of the tank.

An eyesore

Though an amount of Rs 1.18 lakh has been spent for the construction of a concrete road, an underground drainage system and streetlights in front of the temple, these civic amenities have failed to camouflage the pathetic conditions prevailing around the temple. Mere sprucing up of the temple has not managed to address the situation. The backside of the temple will only leave the devotees in a state of shock. They just cannot help covering their nose, while going past the area, thanks to the large piles of garbage everywhere.

According to T R Venkatesh Gowda, President of the Prasanna Venkataswamy Temple’s managing committee, has stated that a proposal had been sent to the Muzrai department, seeking boarding and lodging facilities like dharmashalas and hotels for the devotees from far-flung places, at the temple town.   

Laments a resident from Anekal, Muninanjappa, there are no facilities for women and children, as well for the elderly persons. People arrive there with their families and relatives to fulfil their vows, like offering hair, and others. Unfortunately, there is no suitable place to take bath after the offerings are made. There should be some good bathrooms with good water supply for the benefit for the devotees.