The Brahmarambha Mallikarjuna Swamy temple at Srisailam in Kurnool district, and the Saraswathi temple at Basar in Adilabad district will both get a massive facelift soon. The state government has approved Rs 643 for improving the pilgrim amenities and beautification in Srisailam and a Rs 30-crore master plan for Basar.
“The endowments department has prepared the multi-crore master plan for development of these temples. Other major temples like Laxmi Narasimha Swamy temple at Yadagirigutta, and Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy temple at Vemulawada will also get a facelift soon,” C. Ramachandraiah, minister for endowments, said here on Tuesday.
The master plan has a 30-year perspective, given that the inflow of pilgrims at Srisailam ranges from 20,000 to 30,000 a day and is expected to go up to 1.75 lakh over the next three decades. As in Tirumala, the government is planning to throw a security ring around the main temple at Srisailam that will cost Rs 25 crore. The master plan for Srisailam will be implemented in three phases beginning with a Rs 29 crore drinking water project, the security ring, Rs 26 crore drainage scheme, and Rs 25 crore queue complex.
The Rs 30 crore Basar master plan includes a new hall for the popular Akshara Abyas for children, which will accommodate 500 children; a 100-room choultry on eight acres of land; and a drinking water supply and drainage network around the temple. “Some changes have also been proposed in the Garbha gudi (sanctum sanctorum) which will cost Rs 2.5 crore. The funds from cash rich temples will be utilised for improving pilgrim amenities,” the endowments minister stated.