Rekurti Temple set for facelift

Karimnagar: Government is all set to give a facelift to the historic four hundred-year-old temple at Rekurti and develop it on the lines of Yadadri. Besides taking up grounding works at a cost of Rs 50 lakh in the next two months, Rs 2 crore is likely to be released to develop the temple.

The local legislator Gangula Kamalakar allocated funds to develop the temple, whose significance is unique because the deity – Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy – is seen armed with the weapon Sudarshan chakra, which is generally carried by Lord Vishnu.. We never come across such an idol in any temple across the country. The temple is located on a hillock in Rekurti. All around the temple is there is greenery and the ambience is pleasant.

According to the locals, Rekurti was a famous pilgrimage center about four hundred years ago. In those days, the village was called as Renugaa. Subsequently, its name was changed to Devakurti, which underwent a change to become Rekurti.

The significance of the temple diminished over a period of time and it faced complete neglect during the Nizam period. The Razakaars destroyed the temple. Barring the pujas performed by residents of Rekurti, the deity did not get any seva in the form of dhoopa, deepa and naivaidya. The State government completely neglected the temple.

Thanks to the efforts of Gangula Kamalakar. Works like building a compound wall, laying the two-lane road, widening the sanctum-sanctorum of the temple and construction of various mantaps to perform rituals like yagas are going to be taken up in two months at a cost of Rs 2 crore soon. The villagers have expressed happiness at the prospect of temple development.

According to historical accounts, King Allam Raju ruled the region. There is evidence of the rulers of the region setting up their camps near the temple. Historians in their accounts acknowledged the fact the army of the rulers – though small – used to discuss law and order and security matters from the temple region. The temple pond never dried during its 400-year-old history.

According to village elders, the villagers believe that Goddess Lakshmi will be present in the hillock region during Ugadi. Therefore, to appease the Goddess Lakshmi the villagers used to drive their bullock-carts around the hillock. The MLA grounded the two-lane road development works. Plans have been drawn up to develop the temple further with support from some other individuals.

According to a villager Prakash, the temple pond never dried up even when the village tank had dried up. Temple priest Srinivasachary said that the temple has historical significance. Such an idol of the deity armed with Sudarshan Chakra is unique in the country. In the past devotees used to face problems for want of basic amenities.

The MLA commenced road works. According to him, mantaps will be built in the temple to perform rituals. Village Sarpanch Padma Sandelli said her predecessor went back on the promise to develop the temple. But, she said, she took up the matter through the MLA and is able to get funds sanctioned for temple works.