Anantapur: International Sri Krishna Consensus of Bengaluru (Iskcon) has announced that the works under the golden temple project would start soon on the hilltop of Penukonda, summer capital of Vijayanagar Empire in Satya Sai district.
The project, pending for the last five-year, was delayed following clearances from the state and central departments of archaeology and forest wings. As the Iskcon came forward to develop the historic spot with a golden temple of Lord Narasimha Swamy along with a base camp and exclusive tourist spots at the hilltop and below the Penukonda hills.
Lord Narasimha Swamy had been worshiped by Vijayanagar ruler Sri Krishnadevaraya 500 years ago and he used to offer Pooja to the deity every day. However, the temple was in a worse condition after treasure hunters damaged it.
Bengaluru Iskcon national president Madhupandit Das along with architects visited the site a couple of days ago. The state government had erected a double-lane road to reach the hilltop a few months ago and the works on the water pipeline and electricity line were pending.
After the road was formed, the tourist rush increased to the hilltop. Madhu Pandit Das said the temple reconstruction works would be started soon.
The team of architects discussed construction of the main temple and other structures in the 4.88 hectares of land allotted by the state government to Iskcon. “We are planning to start construction of the golden temple soon,” he said.
The Iskcon would construct the golden temple at the five centuries old dilapidated Lord Narasimha Swamy temple of Vijaynagar Empire with a resolve to build the world’s biggest Lord Narasimha Swamy idol, with 65-ft height there.
Further, the summer capital of Vijaynagar empire Penuokonda, will be developed with a master plan to turn it into a unique multi-faced tourism centre with all amenities on the hilltop and at the bottom of the hill.
The state government had handed over the 4.88 acres of land to Iskcon charities Bengaluru for development of the golden temple on the hilltop and allotted 19.75 acres to the Iskcon charities at the bottom of Penukonda hills for establishment of the base camp project.
Sources from Iskcon said the project was earlier estimated to cost Rs. 300 crore. Ghanagiri Trust chairman Prathap Reddy hoped Penukonda would become one of the top tourist spots in the country.
