WARANGAL: The historic Swayambhu Shambulingeshwara Swamy temple, locally called Nela Shambunigudi or Shambunigudi, in Warangal fort was flooded on Sunday due to heavy rain. The temple drainage system has been blocked for a while. Tourists and devotees were left to walk in the water. The water is now being manually swept to a side.
The 12th century temple was built during the Kakatiya regime and is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India. The temple is in a neglected state. Due to heavy rains last week, the compound wall on the western side of the temple collapsed. Officials are yet to take any kind of measures to revive the condition of the temple.
“Warangal is a historic city known for its ancient structures and architecture. It has been selected to be developed under several state and Central schemes but the there is little that we have witnessed so far. Government needs to recognise its importance and take necessary steps for its preservation,” said Mr P. Madhu, a local of the Khila Warangal.
The temple gets its name due to its construction below the ground level.
Unlike any other temple, one has to walk down a flight of stairs to reach the temple.
