RAMATHEERTHAM: While the Endowments department are making elaborate arrangements for the grand celebration of Sri Rama Navami at Sri Kodandarama Swamy temple at Vontimitta of Kadapa district, the Sri Rama Swamy temple at Ramatheertham of Vizianagaram district, once a contender for the official celebrations of the government, is languishing in official apathy.
The 500-year-old temple wears a rundown look, with its structures crumbling. Post-bifurcation, the government of the residual state was in the process of choosing the venue for its official celebration of Ram Navami after the erstwhile Rama temple at Bhadrachalam in Khammam district went into Telagana. The Ramatheertham and the Vontimitta temples were the strong contenders. But, the government chose the Vontimitta shrine.
Perhaps to pacify the vehement opposition to the move, endowments minister P Manikyala Rao, as the government representative, carried the ‘pattu vastram’ to the temple during Ram Navami fete. Taking part in the Seeta- Rama Kalyanam, he sanctioned Rs 1.75 crore for the development of the shrine. But, it still remains a promise even after one year.
The rock-cut temple has its walls and ceiling of the Lakshmi temple crumbling now and may crash any time. Even the doors of the main temple are in a bad shape. The flooring round the temple where devotees make ‘pradakshnas’ remain unaltered for the last many years.
“This is a heritage temple. We believe that the Lord Rama fulfills everyone’s wishes. But, his abode is crying for repairs now. Officials taking some initiatives to restore the shrine is quite unheard of here. Though new temples came up in 2013 and the main shrine is now an example of sorry state of affairs,” said V Tirupathi, a resident of Nellimerla area.
The temple tank which is considered sacred by devotees is filled with weeds. Even, some local residents wash their utensils and clothes.
A temple which receives thousands of devotees during Ram Navami does not have even popper queuelines.
“The government is making tall claims of step up security at temples. We do not have a queueline here and you are asking about CCTV cameras,” a devotee retorted when asked about the security arrangements at the shrine.
The temple authorities say the temple earns its major revenue from tonsuring fee. Hundi collections, coconuts and vehicle parking fee are the other sources. “While the annual income is around Rs 1.5 crore, we spend Rs 1.25 crore to 1.30 crore on the temple needs. The rest goes to payment of salaries of priests and miscellaneous purposes. We would have around Rs 30 to 35 lakh as the reserve fund, which is mandatory for every temple,” said temple executive officer T Babu Rao.
“The devasthanam hardly receives funds from the government, but it has to pay around Rs 30 lakh per annum to the government,” he added.
“Recently, the authorities sanctioned Rs 58.5 lakh for the Rama Navami and we hope to receive the promised fund of Rs. 1.7 crore after the fete,” said the EO.
What the Legend Says
The Legend has it that in ‘Trethayug’ Lord Shri Rama during his search for Sita passed through the village. “The idols which we see in the temple now were directly presented by Lord Sri Krishna to the Pandavas, during their ‘Vanavasam’ in ‘Dwaparayug’, appealing to them to pray. In the 16th century, the king of Vizianagaram had a dream about the deity. The idols were dug out and constructed the temple at Ramatheertham,” said temple priest Ranganath. The temple priests added that the idols were one of their kind as Lord Shri Rama idol has more hair than other idols in India as Lord Krishna created the image of Rama as he found the latter during his forest exile According to the priests, the belief is that the main deity would fulfil devotees’ wishes, and many vouch for it. Devotees who go on a pilgrimage usually begin from Ramatheertham and proceed to Simhachalam, Annavaram, Vijayawada and finally come back to Ramatheertham. “The second day following Rama Navami, Sri Rama Pattabhishekam (coronation) will be performed on a grand scale. Sivaratri is also celebrated in a grand manner. The devotees believe that Lord Shiva is the saviour (Kshetrapalaka) of Ramatheertham, and on the Sivaratri, devotees first visit this temple and then go to Siva temple,” said Ranganath. There is Durga temple atop the Buddhist hill beside the temple. It is said that the Pandavas worshipped Goddess Durga during their exile in the forest. The Pandavas were also believed to have taken shelter on the hilltop. Buddhist monuments on the hill are a major attraction.
Aaradhana Begins at 3 am
The “Vasantha Navaratri Utsav”, being held in the temple, conclude with Sri Rama Navami. The devotees are allowed to witness the “Aaradhana” at 3 am. This would be followed by decoration of the main deity and other programmes by 6 am. A dais was prepared for the Seetha Rama Kalyanotsavam near the temple premises, which would start at 10.30 am. As per the authorities, the muhurtam for the Kalyanam is around 12 pm and there will be Annadanam after that. Cultural programmes will be conducted in the evening. The Simhachalam devasthanam authorities will be offering the “Pattu Vasthralu” (silk clothes), while Endowments minister Manikyala Rao, Vizianagaram district officials and others will take part. “We have spent around Rs 6 lakh on the arrangements. The queue lines, tents and decorations are ready. Considering the heat, we took precautions like arranging water packets, butter milk and other needs in the queue lines. Children and women will get priority. We are expecting over 40,000 devotees for the coronation function,” said Babu Rao.