GUNTUR: The historical temple of Sri Venkateswara Swamy at Vaikuntapuram village in Amaravati mandal is set to get a major facelift.
The State Government recently proposed construction of a Venkateswara Swamy temple by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) in the capital region Amaravati.
Initially, it was mooted to construct the temple near Pavitra Sangamam Ghat at Ibrahimpatnam on the banks of Krishna river. However, there has been a strong demand from Guntur district to consider the ancient Venkateswara Swamy temple at Vaikuntapuram for development in view of its historical significance.
The location of Vaikuntapuram is also considered auspicious as per Vaastu as Krishna river flows Uttara Vahini (northern direction) at the place after touching Krounchagiri hill.
Locals urged the TTD to construct a temple on Krounchagiri hill with `100 crore to develop the capital region Amaravati as a major pilgrim destination in the State.
In the wake of the demand, TTD Executive Engineer D Nageswara Rao and Deputy Executive Engineer K Srikanth Reddy visited Venkateswara Swamy temple at Vaikuntapuram on Thursday to study the proposal for the development of the shrine. The engineers said they would submit a report to the TTD and the State Government on the temple development plan.
Endowments Deputy Commissioner MV Suresh Babu already informed the temple significance and its property details to the TTD long ago.
There is no ghat road to reach the temple on hilltop. Devotees have to climb the stairway to visit the temple. A ghat road to the temple would be laid as part of the development plan.
Amaravati Development Authority Chairman Jasti Veeranjaneyulu urged the TTD to develop Vaikuntapuram and construct a new temple on the hilltop.