Yadagirigutta temple: 125 kg gold required for Vimana Gopuram plating; 2.5 kg received

Hyderabad: It's raining cash and gold at Yadagirigutta Sri Lakshminarasimha Swamy. Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's decision to provide gold plating to the 56 feet Vimana Gopuram, the main Gopuram over the Sanctum Santorum of the temple, has received tremendous response from devotees especially politicians, industry bigwigs, and others.

Vimana Gopuram is planned on the lines of Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple at Tirumala, which is famous for its gold covering. There will be seven Gopurams at the Yadagirigutta temple including Vimana Gopuram.

In one of the massive remodeling of the Telangana's famed Yadagirigutta in the newly formed Yadadri-Bhuvangiri district, the KCR government has expanded the temple precincts from a meager 2500 square yards to nearly 4 acres.

In a bid to outshine Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple at Tirumala Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao embarked on this mammoth project that will cost about Rs 1,200 crore. He laid the foundation stone for temple developmental works and temple city on May 30, 2015.

It has been a dream of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao to have Tirumala type temple in Telangana after the bifurcation of the State. Most of the major temples were located in Andhra Pradesh including Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple (Tirumala), Srisaila Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple (Kurnool) among others.

KCR, who is known for immense bhakti and conduct of Yagams, sought donations from devotees for the development of the Lakshminarasimha Swamy temple at Yadagirigutta and the response has been quite good. The latest donor is Tribal Welfare Minister Satyavathi Rathod, who offered "Niluvu Dhopidi," a Hindu custom donating to God/Goddesses ornaments worn on the body. It is stated the gold weighed about 12 Tolas.

"Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao is developing Sri Yadadri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple at a level one would have even dreamt of," she remarked after performing puja at the temple. Minister offered her gold jewelry after performing special puja at Balalayam for gold plating of the Vimana Gopuram.

On Sunday, the temple got donations worth Rs 3.06 crore. Hetero Drugs group donated Rs 2 crore, Honour Labs Rs 50 lakh, D Damodar Rao, Chairman and Managing Director of Telangana Publications Limited Rs 50 lakhs. Vimana Gopuram needs 125 kgs of gold. KCR announced to donate one kg 16 tolas gold to the temple Chinna Jeeyar Swamy donated one kg gold. He also appealed to devotees to donate liberally.

Following KCR's appeal, Hetero Group Chairman Parthasarathi Reddy came forward to give 5 kg gold followed by Labour Minister Ch Malla Reddy 2 kg gold, Marri Janardhan Reddy MLA 2 kg gold, Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Limited (MEIL) 6 kg gold, KNR Constructions MD K Narasimha Reddy 2 kg gold, Praneeth group MD Narender Kumar 2 kg gold, Jala Vihar S V Rama Raju 1 kg gold, Jayamma Kadapa 1 kg gold, Danam Nagender 1 kg gold, T Chinnappa Reddy MLC 1 kg gold, TRS MLAs, MLCs including K Naveen Kumar, Shambipur Raju, A Gandhu, M Hanumantha Rao, M Krishna Rao, K P Vivekananda, Ranjit Reddy MP have promised one kg gold each. Donations in cash and gold are still pouring in from all quarters.

Yadadri Temple Executive Officer N Geetha Reddy said so far the temple received Rs 12 crore cash and 2.5 kg gold. KCR indicated that in case of gold donation was insufficient, he would buy gold from the Reserve Bank of India.

Ancient Yadagirigutta now Yadadri is a famous temple of Sri Narasimha Swamy -- half Lion and half-human form, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is located 13 km from Bhongir town and 60 km from Hyderabad city.

It is said Lord appeared in the dream of a devout lady among the tribe. Pleased with devotion, Lord Narasimha appeared in five different forms as Sri Jwala Narasimha, Sri Yogananda, Sri Gandabherunda, Sri Ugra, and Sri Lakshminarasimha.

The five forms or roopas of the Lord known as Pancha Narasimha Kshetram are presently worshipped in the temple. The temple origin is mentioned in Skanda Purana, one of the famed 18 Puranas. Yadagirigutta Chief Priest Nallanthigal Lakshmi Narasimha Charyulu, who showered praises on Chief Minister for the huge renovation works, had announced 100 new pujas in addition to the existing 125 pujas all through the year.

Though Yadagirigutta is one of the famous temples in Telangana, it has been neglected over the years and not much had been done for the temple or facilities created for pilgrims. Located just 60 km from Hyderabad capital, the temple attracts a large number of devotees from different parts of Telangana and outside.

During the tenure of former Chief Minister T Anjaiah, Raja Gopuram was added to the temple that looked like a small cave. The present renovation is done as per "Pancharatragama" principles. Renovation is being done under the direction of Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamy.

Considered God of health, devotees seek solace for marriages, health issues, Kuja dosha, infertility, Navagraha dosha, and others. Former Governor ESL Narasimhan, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, Chinna Jeeyar Swamy launched the Yadagirigutta development works. Rajagopuram height is also been increased from the present 22 feet to 40 feet tall. The government also decided to acquire 2,069 acres of land from six villages of Yadagirigutta and Bhongiri mandals for the development purpose.

G Kishan Rao, Vice Chairman and CEO of Yadagirigutta Temple Development Authority (TDA) told Newsmeter that out of the Rs 1200 crore proposed project cost so far, Rs 1000 crore had been spent. The actual temple renovation costs Rs 280 crore, he disclosed.

"From a mere 2500 square yard temple, the temple has now been expanded to 4 acres. The temple turns into an iconic religious Centre and also will have modern facilities for pilgrims visiting from across the state, country, and abroad. The works are going at a brisk pace," he added.