KCR asks officials to develop the temple as spiritual destination
NAVEENA GHANATE
Hyderabad
Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said that there is no shortage of funds for restoring the Kondagattu Anjaneya Swamy Temple and that the government is ready to allocate Rs 1,000 crore for that.
The Chief Minister asked officials to renovate and develop the Kondagattu Anjaneya Swamy Temple as the greatest temple among all Hanuman shrines in the country.
After the Yadagirigutta Lakshmi Narasimha Swami temple, the sanctum sanctorum of Kondagattu Anjaneya Temple will be promoted as a magnificent spiritual destination.
The Chief Minister discussed with officials about Koneru, Seethamma Kannitithara, Bethalaswamy Temple new Pushkarini, Kondalarayudi Gutta and other places in Kondagattu.
KCR said that keeping in mind the increasing number of Hanuman devotees, there is a need to expand the temple. The CM said that the reconstruction of the temple will be undertaken as per the Vaishnava tradition.
KCR made it clear that the reconstruction of Anjanna temple will be undertaken as per rules and ordered officials to expand the rest of the temple without touching the sanctum sanctorum following the rules of Agama Shastra.
It is estimated that 10 lakh devotees will visit on Hanuman Jayanti in future. The Chief Minister said that a spacious facility should be developed where 50,000 devotees in deeksha can perform puja at one go.
Construction of canteens, toilets, water facilities and all kinds of infrastructural facilities will be provided. Keeping future needs in mind, the Chief Minister told officials to prepare plans to develop an electricity sub-station, dispensary, bus stand, a spacious parking lot on 80 acres, construction of roads, pushkarini, water tanks, water supply, construction of cottages, Deeksha mandapam, Annadana Satram, Kalyana Katta, police station etc.
The officials and priests explained to KCR that about 20,000 devotees visit Anjaneya Swamy on Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday. Around 2000 to 3,000 devotees visit on other days. The Chief Minister said that after the temple’s restoration, this number will increase three or four times and that the Yadagiri Gutta shrine is proof of that.
The officials of the Road Buildings Department have been asked to construct a road through which pilgrims can reach the temple. The construction of Queau facilities, transportation facilities and a wide main gate will be done. It was also suggested to develop Ghat roads without any chance of accidents.
“This forest is the temple’s lifeline. Let us not touch this forest. Don’t bother about others. The Kondagattu Anjanna Sanctuary area will be converted like the Bandipur Sanctuary in the Nilgiri Hills on the Mysore – Ooty Road,” KCR said.
The Chief Minister asked his secretary Bhupal Reddy to take strong measures towards this end.
“Devotees visit Vemulawada, Dharmapuri, Kondagattu Anjanna, and Mid Manir during their pilgrimages. They want to spend two to three days with their children in this green area. The construction of cottages should be geared to accommodate visiting tourists and devotees. KCR said that donors will be invited for the construction of cottages on the hills. Like in the Yadagirigutta, Presidential suites and VVIP suites will be constructed as per Vaastu,” the CM said.
KCR suggested that the arrangements at Sabarimala should be reviewed to solve the problems of parking when a large number of devotees visit the Kondagattu Temple. The Chief Minister said that four acres will be allocated for the construction of the temple.
KCR suggested to temple head Anand Sai that it will take at least 3 years to complete the temple’s construction. Till then, build the Balalayam by following the rules of Agama Shastra. Sculptors should be made ready to take up the work. The CM discussed the natural water flow from the top of the hill and the availability of water and its development.
The Chief Minister inquired with irrigation officials about ponds around the hill. Pushkarinis will be arranged near Kalyana Katta. Separate pushkarinis for men and women will be constructed.
Secretary Smita Sabharwal and irrigation officials have been told to take up the job of supplying water through pipes from the flood flow canal, which is two km away from the Anjanna Temple in Kondagattu.
The Chief Minister ordered officials to start work immediately as construction work can be started only with the water.
KCR suggested that the Endowment Minister and officials use the financial resources provided by the state government and donations for restoring temples.
The Chief Minister advised MD Manohar Rao to prepare plans for the construction of dormitories as part of the development of the Kondagattu Anjanna Temple.
After the darshan of the first Moolavirattu, KCR suggested taking up the structures following the circuit of Ammavaru, then Venkateswara Swami, then Bhethala Swami Darshan under the hill and Ramulavari Padukala Darshan.
In the meeting which lasted for around two hours, KCR gave instructions to officers of all departments to take steps to provide infrastructure. The Chief Minister made it clear that he will conduct regular visits till the completion of the giant task.
Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao instructed state officials to renovate the Kondagatu Anjaneya Swamy Temple as the most popular and greatest holy place among all Hanuman shrines in the country.
After the Yadagirigutta Lakshmi Narasimha Swami Temple, the sanctum sanctorum of Kondagattu Anjaneya Temple will be promoted as a magnificent spiritual destination to enrich India’s spiritual glory.
KCR decided to take up the expansion and development of the Kondagattu temple in accordance with the rules of Agama Shastra (manual for temple construction) so that it can be filled with spiritual beauty and meet the requirements of the increasing number of devotees visiting the most ancient historical Kondagatu Anjanna Devasthanam, which was built 300 years ago.
On Wednesday, the Chief Minister visited Kondagattu Anjaneya Swami Devasthanam and held a high-level review meeting.
“The most famous and greatest Anjaneya Swamy Temple in India will be built in Kondagattu with state of the art civic facilities. Construction plans should be prepared to ensure that Hanuman devotees from all over the country can visit and pray without any problems. The development and expansion of the temple should be taken up on about 750–800 acres,” the Chief Minister suggested.
“Hanuman, as a devotee of Rama, is not only a symbol of devotion but is also a great orator. Hanuman is also a great sage. Our Puranas say that Rama also said the same thing to many people,” explained the Chief Minister.
The information about Hanuman will be provided and Kondagattu Kshetram will be designed to display the characteristics of Hanuman.
Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao left for Kondagattu by air as part of his visit to Kondagattu. After reaching Kondagattu, the CM thoroughly inspected the surrounding areas of the temple.
After that, KCR reached the nearby Nachupalli JNTU helipad. The Chief Minister was warmly welcomed by Ministers Indrakaran Reddy, Koppulu Ishwar and Gangula Kamalakar. From there, the CM reached Kondagattu Anjanna Kshetram by bus. On entering the temple, KCR was received by priests with Purnakumbha and chanting of Vedic mantras. The temple priests offered Vedasirvachanam to KCR. The Chief Minister performed a special pooja to Lord Anjanna.
Later, KCR along with public representatives and officials went around the temple surroundings on foot. A high-level review meeting was held in the conference hall on the temple’s premises.
KCR reviewed the location map with the MRO, RDO, Collector and Revenue officials regarding the land to be acquired to expand the temple to meet the needs of devotees and details of the land.
The Chief Minister advised authorities to print books on Sthala Purana and ensure that Sthala Purana books of all temples in the state are available.
KCR said that Kondagattu Anjanna is an assurance to the devotees who are suffering from mental problems and people believe that devotees who come here will get rid of their difficulties.
On this occasion, KCR himself explained to officials about the Anjanna Sthala Purana of Kondagattu.
“300 years ago a devotee came to this hill. In his dream, the Lord Hanuman ordered the construction of a temple. When he requested the same to the Deshmukh of that area, the Swami’s temple was built in tune with local conditions. Later, the temple was developed in a phased manner.
But, devotees increased and the temple is more crowded on Hanuman Jayanti, Deeksha time and other auspicious occasions. During the previous regime, the temple was deprived of drinking water also. After the launch of Mission Bhagiratha came water scarcity was solved,” Priyadarshan said.
Hanuman devotees from many states including Telangana come here for Hanuman Deeksha. Mass recitation of the Akhanda Hanuman Chalisa, Abhishekam and poojas are also conducted. Officials have been asked to build a spacious hall to accommodate 50,000 people to conduct all programmes.
