BHADRACHALAM: Descendents of Bhakta Ramadas who built Sitaramachandra Swamy temple at Bhadrachalam in the 16th century, have felt that they are not being given due importance by the temple officials in the conduct of rituals. Ramadas who was imprisoned for constructing the temple, wrote hundreds of devotional songs in praise of Lord Rama.
Kancherla Srinivas, a 10th generation descendent of Bhakta Ramadas, is an employee of Singareni Collieries at Kothagudem. He said though they made several representations to the Bhadrachalam temple trust board and the state government seeking due importance to them during festivals like Sri Ramanavami and Mukkoti Ekadasi, no steps have been initiated to accord due honours to them. They are not even being invited to Bhakta Ramadas birth anniversary celebrations. While saint composer Annamayya’s descendents are being given due honours by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, Bhakta Ramadas’ great great grandchildren are being meted out a raw deal by the Sitaramachandra Swamy temple, he said.
Srinivas demanded that the government give a chance to his family to serve Lord Rama and also appoint at least one of the descendents of Bhakta Ramadas as trust board members.
Some other descendents of Bhakta Ramadas are living in Guntur and other places in the state without any recognition, he said.