Annadana Satram at Raja Rajeshwari temple to be completed soon: Ponnam

Transport and Backward Classes Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar announces completion of 'Annadana Satram' at Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy temple.

Transport and Backward Classes Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said that the long-awaited ‘Annadana Satram’ at the Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy temple would be completed soon as promised by the government earlier.

Speaking to reporters along with Government Chief Whip Aadi Srinivas and Whip Adluri Laxman Kumar on Monday, Mr. Prabhakar said Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy sanctioned ₹35 crore for its construction earlier and the tender process for the project is on to fulfill a promise made by the Congress. He said a separate trust has been formed to ensure that the Annadanam (free food offering) would be a continuous operation and ₹20 crore is already available for the scheme. However, he said the plans were afoot to raise the fund to ₹ 100 crores and urged the local representatives and influential individuals to help the cause.

The Minister also revealed that his family donated ₹40 lakh towards the initiative and encouraged devotees to contribute as well. He said devotees can make donations directly to the temple’s bank account through official receipts or contact local representatives and the temple’s executive officer for assistance. Contributions in the form of rice and vegetables would also be encouraged through the Vemulawada Rajanna Annadana Trust.

Mr. Prabhakar also highlighted new facilities for devotees, including special darshan like the system in Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam and also ‘Kode Mokku’ and Abhishekam tickets. Plans are also being made to establish a musical fountain prominently featuring Lord Shiva like the one at Srisailam. Earlier, the minister along with the Whips offered prayers to the temple’s presiding deities.