State Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy said that the government will soon rebuild and restore several ancient temples across the State. Along with Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister Ponguru Narayana, he inspected the Dharmaraja temple and Shiva temple at Nawabpet in SPSR Nellore district on Tuesday on the occasion of Pongal.
Both ministers announced to restore the temples in Nellore as a part of this initiative. Mr. Ramanarayana Reddy discussed the reconstruction of the Shiva temple with the Municipal officials. Addressing the media, he assured to bring back the past glory of the ancient Sri Bhramarambika Sametha Mallikarjuna Swamy temple and Dharmaraja temple in the city.
“Although many attempts have been made in the past for the reconstruction of Shiva temple, the construction work had not started. The alliance government has decided to rebuild many temples in the State after taking suggestions from agama pandits, temple heads, traditional studies and temple authorities,” Mr. Ramanarayana Reddy said.
The Endowments Minister inspected the surroundings of Dharmaraja temple, and observed that around 24 families were residing in the temple lands since many years. According to the orders of the court, he assured them that of new houses in the land allocated by the District Collector.
On the occasion, Minister Narayana said, “The ancient temples of Nellore have been modernised many times during the past six months and the government is taking steps accordingly. The necessary funds will be sanctioned for the reconstruction of temples. All the work will be done as planned and completed within a stipulated time period.”
He assured the families living near Dharmaraja temple that they will be asked to move out only after resolving the issue of encroachment of the temple lands, which is currently under a court dispute. Later, both ministers inspected a cemetery in Bodigadithota. They promised the locals that the necessary facilities will be taken up soon at the cemetery, and an idol of Lord Shiva built at its entrance.
Published – January 15, 2025 08:37 pm IST