The famed Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy temple at Vemulawada in Rajanna Sircilla district, often referred to as “Dakshina Kashi,” has once again entered political discourse in Telangana amid long-standing superstitions linking visits by political leaders to loss of office.
Vemulawada is one of the most prominent Shaivite pilgrimage centres in the state and is also considered a Harihara kshetram due to the presence of both Shiva and Vishnu temples. Owing to its religious significance, it attracts thousands of devotees each year.
However, a belief persists in political circles that leaders who visit the temple may soon lose their positions.
The superstition has roots in instances where several former chief ministers of undivided Andhra Pradesh, including T Anjaiah, Bhavanam Venkataram and Kotla Vijayabhaskara Reddy, reportedly lost office or faced electoral defeat after visiting the shrine.
The issue resurfaced during chief minister A Revanth Reddy’s campaign tour for the municipal elections.
While he was addressing a public meeting in Choppadandi constituency of Karimnagar district on Thursday, Vemulawada MLA Aadi Srinivas invited the chief minister to visit the temple.
However, Revanth Reddy, some of his close associates cautioned him against visiting Vemulawada, citing the long-standing belief that leaders who go there may lose power.
Speaking at the public meeting, the chief minister said he was “shocked” to hear such claims.
“If visiting Vemulawada means losing office, why should that happen? I will definitely visit the temple and prove that this campaign is baseless,” he asserted.
Revanth Reddy also accused former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao of failing to fulfil a promise to allocate Rs 150 crore for the development of the temple.
He said the Congress government sanctioned Rs 150 crore soon after assuming power and that renovation and redevelopment works were currently progressing at a brisk pace.
While the superstition continues to circulate in political circles, the chief minister’s remarks indicate a willingness to challenge the long-held belief and reaffirm the government’s commitment to the temple’s development.
1770364344.jpg)
