‘Govt will consider hand over of Mukyanatha Swamy temple to ASI’

Warangal: Hanamkonda District Collector Rajiv Gandhi Hanumanthu on Monday said the State government will consider hand over the Mukyanatha Swamy (Murripiranadha Swamy) temple, a Kakatiya era shrine at Mupparam village located about 25 km from here, to the Archaelogical Survey of India (ASI) for protection and maintenance. The District Collector’s comment came in the wake […]

Warangal: Hanamkonda District Collector Rajiv Gandhi Hanumanthu on Monday said the State government will consider hand over the Mukyanatha Swamy (Murripiranadha Swamy) temple, a Kakatiya era shrine at Mupparam village located about 25 km from here, to the Archaelogical Survey of India (ASI) for protection and maintenance.

The District Collector’s comment came in the wake of a brewing controversy over some locals taking up rituals at the temple after cleaning the shrine and clearing the bushes.

---

Sivasani Praveen, a devotee from the village, who cleaned the temple and cleared the bushes around it about three months ago, and some villagers have been performing puja at the temple.

Praveen alleged that village Sarpanch Gonela Rajaiah and his associates had allegedly threatened him with dire consequences if he performs the rituals in the old temple that had been lying in neglect for several decades.

When contacted by Telangana Today, Hanumanthu said: “Some individual performing puja at the temple is not right. We will hand over the temple to the ASI, if needed,” he said.

Praveen, speaking to Telangana Today, said he even has a video to prove that he was threatened by the sarpanch 10 days ago. “Following this, I approached the Warangal Police Commissioner Dr Tarun Joshi to file a petition, but I was asked to meet Hanamkonda District Collector Rajiv Gandhi Hanumanthu. Today (Jan 3), I met the Collector and submitted a petition about the events that took place in the village temple,” he added.

Meanwhile, the district administration is yet to hand over the temple to ASI though the latter was ready to protect this unique temple after Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan’s called upon the State and Central government to protect the temple in Mupparam village.

“The revenue department is yet to demarcate the boundaries of the temple land and issue a no-objection certificate (NOC) to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI),” said a villager.

Asked about the Governor’s observations, Hanumanathu said he was not aware of any letter written by the former. “We will examine the issue now that it has been brought to my notice,” he added.

According to local lore, the Muppirinatha Swamy Temple was built during 1116-1157 by Muppamamba, wife of Kakatiya ruler Prola II. The temple is replete with rich carvings reflecting the architectural acumen of the Kakatiya era sculptors.

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 Ramayana etched on its ceiling and pillars.

“Considering its marvelous architectural works, and its proximity to Warangal city, we need to protect the temple for the benefit of our future generations to help them know about our past glory and grandeur,” Sulaksya Seva Samithi (SSS) founder president Santhosh Manduva said.

Archaeologist and writer Aravind Arya Pakide has also stressed the need for the protection of the temple. He said he has written to the Governor urging her to impress upon the government to protect the temple.

---

Now you can get handpicked stories from Telangana Today on Telegram everyday. Click the link to subscribe.

Click to follow Telangana Today Facebook page and Twitter .

---