Warangal: Hanamkonda District Collector Rajiv Gandhi Hanumanthu said on Monday that the state government would consider handing over the Mukyanatha Swamy Temple (Murripiranadha Swamy), a Kakatiya-era shrine in Mupparam village about 25 km away. from here to the Archaelogical Survey of India (ASI) for protection and maintenance.
The district collector’s comment came following an emerging controversy over some locals adopting rituals at the temple after clearing the shrine and clearing the bushes.
Sivasani Praveen, a village devotee, who cleaned the temple and cleared the bushes around it about three months ago, and some villagers did a puja at the temple.
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Praveen alleged that the village of Sarpanch Gonela Rajaiah and his associates threatened him with dire consequences if he performed the rituals in the ancient temple that had been abandoned for decades.
When contacted by Telangana Today, Hanumanthu said, “Some individuals performing a puja in the temple are not correct. We will turn the temple over to ASI if necessary, ”he said.
Praveen, speaking to Telangana Today, said he even had a video to prove he was threatened by the sarpanch 10 days ago. “Following this, I contacted the Warangal Police Commissioner, Dr Tarun Joshi, to file a petition, but was asked to meet with the Hanamkonda District Collector, Rajiv Gandhi Hanumanthu. Today (January 3) I met the collector and submitted a petition on the events that took place in the village temple, ”he added.
Meanwhile, the district administration has yet to hand the temple over to ASI, although ASI is ready to protect this unique temple after Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan called on the state and central government to protect. the temple of the village of Mupparam.
“The revenue department has not yet demarcated the boundaries of the temple’s territory and issued a certificate of no objection (NOC) to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI),” said a villager.
When asked about the governor’s comments, Hanumanathu said he was not aware of any letters written by the former. “We will look into the matter now that it has been brought to my attention,” he added.
According to local tradition, Muppirinatha Swamy temple was built between 1116-1157 by Muppamamba, wife of ruler Kakatiya Prola II. The temple is full of rich carvings reflecting the architectural sense of the sculptors of the Kakatiya era.
The carvings on the temple structure feature the tales of Panchatantra, scenes from epics like the Ramayana, among others. The temple has beautiful murals related to the Ramayana engraved on its ceiling and pillars.
“Considering its wonderful architectural works and its proximity to the city of Warangal, we must protect the temple for the benefit of our future generations to help them know our past glory and greatness,” said founding president of Sulaksya Seva. Samithi (SSS), Santhosh Manduva. .
Archaeologist and writer Aravind Arya Pakide also stressed the need for the protection of the temple. He said he wrote to the governor urging him to pressure the government to protect the temple.
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