Nellore  March 24, 2014: Devotees plead for renovation of the Nawabpeta Sivalayam

The moss-covered Sri Bhramaramba Malleswara Swamy Devasthanam in Nellore.

Sri Bhramaramba Malleswara Swamy Devasthanam located at Nawabpeta here has got historical significance as it was the first temple in Nellore to be developed in the north-east corner based on the belief that such a location would be auspicious for the people.

Popularly known as Nawabpeta Sivalayam, the temple is over 600-years-old developed during the time of Manumasiddhi rulers during whose regime Nellore was called ‘Vikrama Simhapuri’.

As there was a prolonged spell of drought at that time, the temple was constructed seeking divine blessings for a respite from those problems.

The historic temple now lies neglected to such an extent that there is growth of vegetation over its ‘gali gopuram’, indicating the extent of the damage to the structure. Devotees deplore that it was long time since the wall had a coat of paint and ‘Dhwaja Sthambham’ required immediate repairs.

No proper queue lines have been developed for the convenience of visitors. In times of a heavy rain, the rain water enters even the sanctum sanctorum.

P.V. Sivaramakrishna Sarma, a retired employee and a devotee, says that devotees are facing lot of trouble as minimum facilities were also not being provided at the temple.

During special utsavams, heavy rush of pilgrims is witnessed at this Sivalayam and the annual hundi collections come to about Rs. 6 lakh. Additional revenue comes in the form of ticket sales.

The temple has lands to the tune of 214 acres as per the devotees’ accounts based on the notice board notifications which were there till 2006. Later, no notice board is maintained and the temple property is now being projected as just 100 acres. The remaining lands are stated to have fallen into the hands of private persons.

Utter neglect marks the temple maintenance as a public garbage bin is shifted to the side of temple ‘ratham’ and this is done to facilitate construction of an apartment nearby. The residents now demand for setting up of a regular trust board to take care of the temple maintenance in a desirable way.