Anantapur: Srisailam to get facelift

Anantapur: Srisailam, home to the famous Shiva temple and also Shakti Peetham would get vast development similar to the holy shrine of Tirumala. Already Rs 200 crore worth developmental activities with master plan is on.

The unique feature of this kshetram is the combination of Jyothirlingam and Maha Shakti Peetham in one campus, which is very rare and only one of its kind.
In addition, Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy Lingam is accessible to every devotee and anybody can go into the sanctum sanctorum of Mallikarjuna, touch the lingam and perform abhishekam himself with no barriers of caste or creed or religion. This clearly reveals the progressive pattern of the place  said the temple authorities.

Srisailam played a dominant role in our religious, cultural and social history from ancient times where the Shatavahanas, Ikshavakus,  Pallavas,  Vishnukundis, Chalukyas, Kakatiyas, the Reddy Kings,  Vijayanagar emperors and Chatrapati Shivaji are among the famous emperors who worshipped the deity. In the 15th century Sri Krishnadevaraya constructed the Rajagopuram on the   eastern side.

A six km outer ring road was proposed covering the temple town and Sunnipenta that would give additional facelift for holy Srisailam in Kurnool district. Sources said temple was attracting devotees from all parts of the country following worship by Shivaji and other kings.

Temple authorities said huge number of pilgrims has a bath under existing natural waterfall of Patalaganga every day. Since this place is congested there is a need to modernise and expand the waterfall. The Devasthanam is planning to improve the waterfall by launching Pushkarini Jaladhara project.

Further beautification of the temple surroundings and Srisailam township, gardens with beautiful landscaping, fountains and footpaths are under progress. "It was proposed to fill up the parks with all the holy medicinal plants that cover all the birth stars so that all the visitors will have opportunity to worship trees associated with their birth star sources said.

Srisailam reservoir (Patalaganga) will host lakhs of devotees for Krishna Pushkaralu. Beautification of reservoir surrounding parts along with facilities will be done before the next Pushkaralu.