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Time of India
13 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
BBMP grant: Temple jewels to be secured in new strong room; additional facilities for priests and tourists planned at Talacauvery
MADIKERI: A strong room is under construction in Talacauvery, an important religious place in Kodagu, to keep the precious jewels of the temples. Many years ago, when BBMP leaders visited Talacauvery, they gave a grant of Rs. 1 crore for the development of the area. Using this money, the construction of the much-needed strong room has now begun. Along with this, a water storage tank is also being built to provide drinking water during the summer in the Talacauvery area. Although there is already a tank in the area, another tank is being built as the water runs out in necessary situations. Preparations are underway to construct a 12-foot-high, 70-foot-long barrier wall on the western side of the strong room. Currently, in this BBMP-funded project, a room is being built for a security guard to protect the gold and jewellery, which will be kept in the strong room, said Assistant Engineer of the Public Works Department D.M. Girish, who is in charge of the works. More room for priests After the house of late Narayanachar, who was the previous Chief Priest in the area, was washed away, the priests have requested suitable residential facilities for the priests. Girish said that the construction of one house for Archaks on this land is included in this project. According to him, space has been left for the construction of more houses for the priests. But the money available with the BBMP grant is not enough to build these houses now. He confirmed that there are opportunities to build houses and provide facilities in the future. Kodi Motaiah, the Prapathegar of Talacauvery, explained that the officials have decided that ornaments from Bhagamandala during the Talacauvery festival can be kept in this strong room at Talacauvery for about a month. Only if the administrative committee takes a decision, the ornaments can be kept permanently in this strong room. But he said that compliance is possible only after receiving instructions from the administrative officers. Meanwhile, steps have been taken to develop the Yatri Nivas building in Bhagamandala for the convenience of tourists. Girish explained that the construction of rooms will be carried out with the present available grant of Rs. 80 lakh.
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Simhachalam temple executive officer went on long leave a month before Chandanotsavam
Visakhapatnam: The collapse of a hurriedly-constructed wall at Simhachalam temple , which claimed the lives of seven devotees on Wednesday, has exposed several issues. These include poor coordination amongst officials, violation of regulations, and the temple's regular executive officer's 90-day leave prior to the annual Chandanotsavam , which is the ancient temple's most important festival. Sources said the tourism dept's executive engineer failed to inform his superiors about the construction of the wall just a few days before the festival. "This man also played a key role in the construction of the structures on Rushikonda hill," alleged Jana Sena leader Peetala Murthy Yadav, adding that he also faces accusations regarding the inflation of modernisation costs for the Yatri Nivas at Appu Ghar to approximately Rs 5.5 crore. Originally from the irrigation dept, he is currently on deputation with the tourism dept. The temple's regular executive officer, V Trinatha Rao, went on leave for 90 days ahead of the temple's most important festival. He was granted leave by the endowments dept. Questions are being raised why the dept approved his leave (from Mar 1 to May 31) despite knowing the festival's significance. Notably, Rao was also the EO when devotees raised complaints during the 2023 Chandanotsavam. Initially, senior officer Bramarambha was designated as the acting EO but he reportedly declined to shoulder the additional responsibilities. Subsequently, RJC Murthy received the additional charge of EO.
