Hyderabad: Telangana Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Minister D. Seethakka said the state government was developing temples in accordance with devotees’ beliefs under the leadership of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.
On Friday, Seethakka visited the Sri Bhimeshwara Swamy Temple in Vemulawada and offered special prayers. Government Whip and Vemulawada MLA Adi Srinivas, in-charge Collector Garima Agrawal, and SP Mahesh B Geete welcomed her. Temple priests greeted the minister with Purnakumbham honours. She fulfilled a bullock vow before offering prayers to Lord Bhimeshwara Swamy and Gayatri Mata.
Temple development reflects CM’s commitment: Seethakka
Speaking at the temple, Seethakka said the government was expanding key pilgrimage sites with high footfall. She noted that these projects aligned with the faith of devotees and formed part of the government’s cultural agenda.
MLA Adi Srinivas stated that work on the Vemulawada Sri Rajarajeshwara Swamy temple had begun with a sanctioned budget of ₹150 crore. He credited CM Revanth Reddy for prioritising temple development and improving darshan facilities. He added that ministers Ponnam Prabhakar, Sridhar Babu, and Lakshman Kumar had earlier raised the matter with the Chief Minister.
Seethakka also said development of the Sammakka Saralamma Jathara platforms in Medaram was progressing quickly. The Chief Minister had approved over ₹200 crore for the works, which follow tribal customs. She emphasized that the reconstruction would preserve cultural heritage for future generations.
The minister confirmed that CM Revanth Reddy and cabinet members would visit Medaram on January 18. A cabinet meeting would be held at the site, followed by the inauguration of the Jathara works on January 19.
She explained that visiting the Vemulawada temple before attending the Medaram Jathara was a customary practice. Her prayers at the Rajanna temple were in line with that tradition. She invited MLAs from all parties to the Jathara and urged devotees to attend in large numbers.