14-02-2026 12:00:00 AM
In a virtual ceremony from the state secretariat, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan emphasized the critical role of temple governing boards in preventing sacrileges and protecting religious sites beyond political influences. Speaking on Friday morning, he highlighted that responsible administration by these boards is essential to safeguard temples, drawing lessons from past lapses under previous regimes.
He noted that temples symbolize civilization, culture, heritage, and traditions, and their preservation is intertwined with these values. During the event, Pawan Kalyan virtually inaugurated the newly constructed Giripradakshina road at the Srikalahasti temple, a project completed at an estimated cost of Rs. 10 crore. This 22-kilometer path aims to enhance the pilgrimage experience, with plans to make it more pleasant through additional landscaping.
Expressing personal interest, Pawan Kalyan shared his desire to perform the Giripradakshina at Srikalahasti, likening it to the sacred circumambulation at Arunachalam. This includes significant infrastructure improvements, such as allocating over Rs. 40 crore through various schemes like MGNREGA, Panchayati Raj, and SASCI funds to build roads to around 22 major temples.
Notable projects include a Rs. 3.70 crore ghat road to the Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple in Eluru district's I.S. Jagannathapuram, roadworks around the prominent Shaiva site Kotappakonda costing about Rs. 4 crore, and a Rs. 6 crore road along the Godavari riverbank for devotees visiting Vadapalli's Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple.
Pawan Kalyan suggested that the new Srikalahasti Trust Board organize special Giripradakshina events every full moon, modeled after Arunachalam traditions.The program saw participation from Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, Srikalahasti MLA Bojjala Sudheer Reddy, Tirupati MLA Arani Srinivasulu, and Endowments Secretary Dr. Hari Jawaharlal at the state secretariat.