Kodelu distribution to resume at Vemulawada temple

With the district administration inviting applications from interested farmers and people, the Temple to resume the distribution of bulls to farmers and devotees soon

Rajanna-Sirchilla: Sri Rajarajeshwara Swamy temple, Vemulawada, to resume the distribution of kodelu (bulls) to farmers as well as people.

The bulls distribution, which was stalled due to misuse of kodelu in November 2024, will be resumed soon as the district administration made an announcement inviting applications from interested farmers and people.

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In the wake of the death of kodelu in Goshala, district administration has taken this decision. In the recent past, 27 kodelu died within a few days. Since excess strength is said to be the reason for the death of bulls, officials have decided to resume the distribution programme.

Kodemokku is a famous ritual in the shrine. Devotees strongly believe that they will get virtue if a kode is offered to Emulada Rajanna (Sri Rajarajeshwara of Vemulawada). So, a majority of the pilgrims, who visit the shrine, will offer kode to the presiding deity.

Devotees also believe that they will get more virtue if a kode (bull) is donated to the temple. The people, who grew bulls in their cattle shed, donate them to the shrine. Some others donate animals by purchasing from others.

So, the temple is also maintaining a Goshala in Thippapur to maintain bulls. As the strength goes up in Goshala, there were incidents of bulls dying of illness due to lack of fodder, facilities and medical aid.

To overcome the problem, the authorities used to give excess animals to other Goshalas in the state through the State Goshala Federation. It was stalled in the wake of allegations that irregularities have taken place in giving animals to other Goshalas.

As there was a demand from the farmers, the temple officials had decided to give bulls to ryots free of cost and launched the programme in the year 2024.

It was also stalled due to misuse of kodelu. Based on the recommendation of the Endowment Minister, Koda Surekha, temple authorities allocated 60 kodelu to Sri Rajeshwara Society, Manugoda, Geesukonda mandal of Warangal district, in August 2024.

Out of 60, 49 bulls went missing from the society when Geesukonda police conducted checks based on the complaint lodged by local youth on November 29. Following that incident, distribution was stalled.

In the wake of continued deaths, officials have decided to resume the distribution. Collector Sandeep Kumar Jha, in a statement, asked the farmers and people to make an application through the district website and Mee Seva centres. They can also personally submit applications along with pattadar passbooks and Aadhar cards to local Tahsildars, RDOs and municipal offices. To check misuse, officials are planning to geotag bulls besides entering the details of farmers on the website.