Medieval temples in dilapidated condition

Vijayawada: The medieval temple complex, which is located on the left bank of the River Penna at Jyothi village in Siddhavatam mandal in Kadapa district, is in a dilapidated condition and may collapse at any time. Floods have been hitting these medieval temples resulting in severe damage to the complex.

The temple complex dedicated to Jyothinatha, comprising stone-built main temple, brick-built Goddess Kali temple, Ganesha and Bhairava shrines, stone-built Raja Gopuram and a brick-built huge compound wall are endangered by frequent floods of the River Penna, according to Dr E Sivanagi Reddy, archaeologist and CEO of the Cultural Centre of Vijayawada and Amaravati (CCVA), who visited the complex on Saturday as part of the programme ‘Preserve Heritage for Posterity’ launched by CCVA.

Dr Reddy said that the main temple, subsidiary shrines and the Rajagopuram have been threatened by the floods resulting in temples buried in sand dunes up to the roof level. In a bid to resume the rituals in the temple, the villagers removed hundreds of tonnes of sand to bring out the temples and restored worship recently. However, the stucco sculptures and ornamental designs on the superstructures are peeled off, cracks and crevices developed and vegetation was grown all over losing its antiquarian and aesthetic character.

The huge compound wall, built of brick during the 13th century CE, was badly affected by floods and half of it already collapsed. There are a good number of broken and loose sculptures of Bhairava, Surya, Ganesha, Goddess Durga, and Nandi left uncared.

Dr Reddy was astounded at the alarming situation of the rajagopuram in which the villagers are dumping turmeric by tractors affecting the very existence of the dilapidated structure. Sivanagi Reddy found one inscription near the gopuram dated back to 1247 CE and stated that the gopuram was built by Chinta Raminayakudu, a subordinate of Vaidumba King Rayadeva Maharaja Rakkasa Ganga, the ruler of Kadapa- Nellore region.

Dr Reddy sensitised the villagers on the historical significance of the temples. He also appealed to the officials of the endowments and archaeology departments to safeguard the structures by restoring them to their past glory for posterity. A slice of happiness is that the Srisailam temple has provided two priests bearing the cost of the daily pooja, said Dr Reddy. K Mrityunjaya Rao, faculty, Department of Fine Arts of Yogi Vemana Univeristy was also present.