Hyderabad: The famed spring waters of the Bugga Ramalingeshwara Swamy temple in Anantagiripalle near Vikarabad, 75 km from here, where the river Musi originates, appears threatened.
For ages, spring water has fallen into Shiva Ganga Pushkarni or Telangana Mahanandi (holy tank) through the ‘mouth’ of the Nandi in the temple premises, but for the past three months the water flow has stopped.
The water overflowing from the Shiva Ganga Pushkarni is the origin of River Muchukunda or Musi. “For three months there has not been a drop of water. One reason is lack of rains and some say it is due to the growth of the eucalyptus trees in the forests around temple which reportedly sucks up ground water,’’ said temple priest Srikant Swamy.
He added, “after a gap of three months, the water has begun trickling. We performed a puja. The water is believed to have medicinal values and worshipping at the temple fulfils one’s wishes.’’
According to the Puranas, the Bugga Ramalingeshwara Swamy temple is believed to have been consecrated by Lord Rama in the Treta Yuga. The story goes that Lord Rama who killed Ravana and returned to Rameswaram was advised by Sage Agastya and others to undertake penance for killing Ravana, a Brahmin. He was advised to instal Jyotirlingams.
Lord Rama is believed to have visited this area and installed a Shiva Lingam. While looking for water for abhishekam, he shot an arrow into the ground and water sprang in the shape of a balloon (bugga). Hence the name Bugga Ramalingeshwara Swamy.
When contacted, Mr A. Shankaran, consultant to the forest department, said there was no scientific basis to show that the eucalyptus plantation had dried up the sub-soil moisture, thus lowering the water table and affecting the temple.
