Suspension of darshanams at Vemulawada temple sparks protests

Darshan at the Sri Rajarajeshwara Swamy temple in Vemulawada has been temporarily suspended due to ongoing expansion works, sparking protests from BJP leaders and devotees. Authorities have arranged alternative facilities at Bheemeshwaralayam.

Rajanna-Sircilla: Suspension of darshanams for devotees at Sri Rajarajeshwara Swamy temple in Vemulawada has drawn stiff opposition from right-wing groups, particularly the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

As part of the temple’s expansion works, authorities have suspended darshanams for devotees from Sunday and arranged alternate facilities at Bheemeshwaralayam, an associate temple of the Rajarajeshwara Swamy shrine.

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Ekantha sevalu will continue as usual in the main temple. However, pujas such as Kodemokku, Abhishekams, Annapuja, Kunkumapuja, Nitya Kalyanam, and Chandiyagam will now be performed at Bheemeshwaralayam.

Temple Executive Officer Rama Devi clarified that the shrine was not being closed. “Devotees can continue to perform all pujas at Bheemeshwaralayam during the works,” she stated.

BJP activists, led by district president Reddaboina Gopi, staged a protest and burnt an effigy of the State government outside the temple on Sunday. Gopi questioned how rituals of Rajanna could be performed at Bheemeshwaralayam and asserted that devotees must not be denied darshan of Rajarajeshwara Swamy.

Union Minister of State for Home, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, condemned the decision, warning that he would “open the temple by wearing panchas” if the authorities failed to revoke their order.

Meanwhile, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaders who inspected the alternate arrangements at Bheemeshwaralayam also criticised officials for announcing darshanam arrangements before completion of the works.

Government Whip and local MLA Adi Srinivas dismissed BJP’s allegations that the temple was closed. He said the expansion works were being carried out on the advice of Srungeri Peetadipathi and that alternate facilities had been arranged for devotees.

He explained that large construction equipment was being used for erecting mandapams and 64 to 70 pillars in the sanctum, creating safety concerns if devotees were allowed inside. “All pujas to the presiding deity will continue even as expansion works proceed,” he said, adding that opinions of the temple protection committee, Hindu organisations, and devotees were already taken.