Yadadri to remain closed for 9 months for renovation works

Yadadri: Lord Laxminarsimha Swamy’s cave temple at Yadadri will be closed for nine months for pilgrims from April 21 to take up renovation works.

Yadadri Executive Officer N.Geetha said that pilgrims and devotees would however be allowed to offer their prayers at the Balala Alayam—a makeshift hall of darshan where the idols of the residing deity will be consecrated by Vedic pontiff Chinna Jeeyar Swamy and kept for darshan till the renovation works are completed. The decision was taken after consultations with Chinna Jeeyar Swamy according to the traditions of Agama Shastras, she said.

"We regret the inconvenience to pilgrims for not being allowed into the temple for darshan and archanas and offer prayers inside the main sanctuary of the residing original Swayambhu idol that is ‘Mula Virat Darshan’ inside the cave. The closure of the temple is for nine months for the renovation of the temple. The main temple will be opened for devotees as soon as the renovation is completed," she said.

The official said that on an average the temple receives 15,000 to 20,000 pilgrims a day and the number doubles during the holidays. Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao sanctioned Rs. 100 crore for the development of the temple Yadagirigutta—renamed as Yadadri after Telangana state formation on the lines of famous Tirupati Venkateshwara Swamy Temple in Andhra Pradesh.