26-year-old Brahma Samaj Mandir in pathetic condition

The structure is variously known as Andhra Brahmopasana Mandir, Ome Building, and other names in the historical Kakinada city. The heritage building used to be filled with people, but it draws little attention now.

The building started functioning in Kakinada in 1898. Brahmos believe in one God (Ekeshwar), who has no name. Hence, the Mandiram has no idol in it for worship.

It was constructed by the Maharaja of the Pithapuram Sansthan, RVKM Surarao Bahadur, under the guidance of his mentor and father-figure Raghupathi Venkata Rantam Naidu, the first elected vice-chancellor of Madras University and later the principal of PR College, Kakinada.

He built the Mandir with a combination of the architectural styles of Hindus, Muslims, and Christians. Atop the Mandir, the sacred universal letter OM is prominently displayed.

The Mandir was built to emphasize the faith of universalism and brotherhood and to invite all irrespective of their caste, creed, and religion to come together to offer prayers.

The renowned philanthropist from the Brahmo Samaj in Calcutta, Hemachandra Sircar, inaugurated the building. Brahmos and intellectuals from all over the country attended the opening ceremony. The Pithapuram Raja, Rao Bahadur Surya Rao, dedicated the building to the Kakinada people.

After the demise of Raghupathi Venkata Ratnam Naidu in 1939, his mortal remains were preserved in a marble urn at the Memorial Pavilion built behind the Mandir. Prayers, public meetings, conferences, and inter-caste marriages used to be held in the Mandir,’’ notes INTAC East Godavari district convener, VVVLN Murthy, the author of several books on Indian Architecture.

Environmentalists T Rajya Lakshmi and her husband Sashibhushan used to look after the building until they died. In later years, the building underwent no maintenance.

Notably, in 2010, the Òme building was handed over to the AP archaeological department. Its assistant director K Thimma Raju told the Deccan Chronicle that the building was in a dilapidated condition. The department has sent proposals to the government for an allotment of `1 crore for its renovation.

A sum of `5.5 lakh is needed for temporary repairs to protect the structure to some extent, he said and added that the proposals were submitted to the district collector.

Meanwhile, the People's World Commission for Drought and Flood, led by Jana Sena leader Bolisetty
Satyanarayana took up the protection of the building to some extent and formed a committee.

Rotarian L.V.V. Satyanarayan and Dr. Chitla Kiran took the initiative of removing the bushes and clearing the approach path to the Mandir for passage. They are taking up other activities too to preserve the monument.

INTACH leader V.V.V.L.N. Murthy suggests that the worthies of Kakinada like poets, authors, and others should convene their meetings in the Mandir as it was conceived and established as the Balajicheruvu—the heart of the Kakinada City.