KARIMNAGAR: Religious bodies--temples and mosques are usually found in separate places as devotees of the respective religions prefer to worship at their own place of worship.
Exception to this is Vemulawada Sri Rajarajeshwari Swamy temple, popularly known as Dakshina Kasi. As the tomb of a Muslim saint is in the temple premises, both Hindus and Muslims offer obeisance to Lord Shiva and Allah, a fine example of communal harmony.
Located 36 km from the district headquarters, thousands of Hindu devotees daily visit tomb (Dargah) of Hazrath Baba Khwaja Bagh Savar in the temple after having a darshan of Lord Siva and Goddess Rajarajeswari.
Besides devotees from across the State, pilgrims from neighbouring Karnataka, Madhyapradesh and Maharashtra states also visit the temple.
Muslims too visit Lord Siva and Goddess Rajarajeshwari after conducting prayers at the Dargah. During Moharam, Muslims start Urs celebrations and procession from the temple main entrance.
Apart from attracting Vaishnavites Saivites, the temple is frequented by Jains and Buddhists as the the sculptures on the temple walls depict the cultures of both the religions. At Bheemeshwara temple, one could spot sculptures of Jainism.
Vemulawada Sanskrit school Pandit Mamidipalli Rajanna told TNIE that according to Indian Arsha Vignana principles, it was good example for communal harmony.
History says that Vemulawada was ruled by successive dynasties - the Ikshwakus, the Satavahanas and later by the Chalukyas who made it their State capital.
The presiding deity Sri Raja Rajeswara Swamy is also called as Rajanna by villagers and tribals.Â