Ongole, June 24, 2013: The facilities for pilgrims visiting the famous Lakshmi Narasimha swamy temple at Malakonda, near Kandukur are being improved at a cost of about Rs. 6 crore.

Municipal Administration Minister M. Mahidhar Reddy laid the foundation stone for strengthening of the ghat road at a cost of Rs. 2 crore on Sunday.

The project envisaged construction of retaining wall and increasing the width of he ghat road from 3.64 m to 5.50 m. The Minister directed the officials concerned to complete the work in six months.

The Minister said the hill temple of Mahalakshmi would be developed at a revised cost of Rs. 85 lakh.

The temple administered by Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Devasthanam is one of the Nava Narasimha Keshtrams in South India and part of the 108 “Divya Desams”, venerated Vaishnavite shrines in the country.

Women would get a new cooking shed to prepare Pongali for the divine couple at a cost of Rs. 10 lakh, said Temple Executive Officer D. Subba Rao.

The steps meant for pilgrims visiting the hill temple by walk were being improved at a cost of Rs. 25 lakh. Drinking water, wash rooms and tonsuring hall were also being improved for the benefit of pilgrims, he added.

Source: The Hindu, DT. June 24, 2013.