Descendant family of Bhakta Ramadasu ignored?

A visit to the historic Sri Sitaramachandra Swamy temple in Bhadrachalam evokes nostalgic memories of renowned Vaggeyakara Bhakta Ramadasu (Kancharla Gopanna)’s unflinching devotion to Lord Rama and hardships faced by him in constructing the shrine in the 17th Century.

But, Kancharla Srinivasa Rao, a tenth generation descendant of Kancharla Gopanna, has been running from pillar to post for the past several years seeking due respect and recognition to his family during the major festivals celebrated in the shrine built by the legendary saint composer.

In pursuit of “due recognition”, Mr. Srinivasa Rao, an employee of the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) of Kothagudem, recently submitted a memorandum to the authorities concerned of the Endowments Department in Hyderabad.

The Endowments Department through a circular dated April 7, 2014, had directed the temple authorities to extend a formal invitation to Mr. Kancharla Srinivasa Rao’s family and provide a VIP ticket to them during the major religious events such as Sri Sita Rama Kalyanam, Vaikunta Ekadasi festival and Bhakta Ramadasu Jayanthi at the shrine, sources said.

Mr. Rao made persistent efforts to ensure the strict implementation of the orders during the subsequent years with little success.

“I have submitted a memorandum to the senior officials at the Secretariat earlier this month seeking their intervention to ensure proper implementation of the circular already issued by the Endowments Department in 2014,” said Mr. Rao.

“I did not get due recognition during the just concluded celestial wedding on the occasion of Sri Rama Navami at the Bhadradri temple,” he rued, insisting that his family be issued an identity card to enable him and his family members visit the shrine built by their ancestor Bhakta Ramadasu with due respect.

Thanks to the intervention of the Minister, I could gain access to the VIP enclosure at the Kalyana Mandapam and present pattu vastrams on behalf of our family on Sri Rama Navami festival day, he said.

The temple sources, however, said Mr. Rao and his family members were given due recognition during the divine wedding held at Midhila Stadium on Monday.

The temple officials could not be reached over phone for their comments on implementation of the circular dated April 7, 2014.