Sangameswara temple gopuram visible

Atmakur (Kurnool): The famous Sangameswara temple, located at the confluence of seven rivers in this mandal, which remains under the Krishna flood water eight months in a year and surfaces during the last quarter, is visible to devotees before the holy Deepavali-‘Karthika Masam’.

This, after being totally under water, within 77 days is being viewed as a good omen by visitors who throng the place for its sheer scenic beauty and offer worship to Siva lingam. The shrine was immersed in August, but the water level fell paving the way for the ‘gopuram’ to be visible. Such a scenario last occurred in 2002---12 years back, when the Srisailam reservoir level fell to 810 feet.

Legend has it that King Dharmaraju, along with the Pandavas, had installed the Siva lingam at the spot, which was said to have been visited by sages Viswamitra and Parasurama. Although, the Krishna level now stands at 866 ft the temple is visible, much to the pleasure of devotees.

The reservoir level has fallen after Andhra Pradesh and Telangana States started generating hydel power in the Srisailam station. If the level falls further, 70 per cent of the temple is likely to surface. Going by the current trend of shortfall in rain and power problems, the reservoir is likely become empty.