Engagement ceremony at Bhadradri temple

Bhadrachalam: In violation of temple rules, Chitrakuta Mantapam of Lord Sitaramachandraswamy temple was given as the venue to an industrialist to organise engagement ceremony of his granddaughter apparently on oral instructions from a Minister in the State Cabinet on Monday.

People cry hoarse over what they call “double standards” adopted by the temple authorities. In the name of security, ordinary people are not allowed to perform marriages or any other functions in the temple. Not only the general public, but also the temple Devasthanam employees say that such a measure would hurt the sentiments of the people.

Even the temple’s Vedic scholars questioned the rationale behind allowing a private ceremony to take place in the temple. For the first time, a private function was allowed in Chtrakuta Mantapam in the temple’s history. Devotees wonder how one yardstick is applied to the affluent and another to the poor in the presence of the Almighty?

Meanwhile, temple executive officer Prabhakara Srinivas clarified that no engagement ceremony had taken place. A marriage party comprising 20 members visited the temple to seek blessings of Vedic scholars since the industrialist donated considerable amount to the temple and immediately left the place.