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Temple tank in Vemulawada wears a deserted look

Though Vemulawada shrine was opened for devotees on June 8 last year after 80 days, pilgrims were not being allowed to take holy dip in the temple tank on account of Covid-19

By Telangana Today

Published Date - 11 March 2021, 09:41 PM

Temple tank in Vemulawada wears a deserted look — Vemulawada temple tank.

Vemulawada (Rajanna-Sircilla): While Rajarajeshwara Swamy temple premises and the entire Vemulawada town were packed with devotees, Dharmagundam wore a deserted look on Thursday. Though Vemulawada shrine was opened for devotees on June 8 last year after 80 days, pilgrims were not being allowed to take holy dip in the temple tank on account of Covid-19. Besides offering kodemokku (Oxen) to residing deity, having darshan of lord Shiva by taking holy dip in Dharmagundam is one of the important rituals in the shrine.

However, devotees have not been allowed to take dip in temple tank to the disappointment of pilgrims. People, who used to perform pujas standing in Dharmagundam water and breaking coconuts, were seen breaking coconuts outside and throwing them into the tank. Jangamaiahs, who used to perform the pujas for the people, have seen a drop in their earnings with the closure of the tank.

Speaking to Telangana Today, Shekhar, a jangamaiah, said earlier, he used to earn Rs 500 to 1,000 per day performing pujas for newly wedded couples and others. Though they were performing pujas outside the tank even now, devotees were not coming forward to perform pujas, he said, adding that it has become difficult for them to earn Rs 200 to Rs 500 per day. About 200 jangamaiahs are dependent on the temple tank for a livelihood.