Now Reading: Srisailam devotees face high charges, poor upkeep at private choultries
-
01
Srisailam devotees face high charges, poor upkeep at private choultries
Srisailam devotees face high charges, poor upkeep at private choultries
Thousands of pilgrims visiting the Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple in Srisailam are struggling to find affordable accommodation, with private choultries increasingly run for profit. Devotees report being approached by middlemen who…
Thousands of pilgrims visiting the Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple in Srisailam are struggling to find affordable accommodation, with private choultries increasingly run for profit. Devotees report being approached by middlemen who offer rooms, only to find high charges and shabby maintenance upon arrival.
The issue gained attention after five members of a family died by suicide at the Vaddera choultry last month. The management had rented the room to the family for a month, though rules prohibit allotments for more than three days. Devotees allege that complaints about poor facilities are ignored and that middlemen influence room allotments.
Around 65 community-run choultries operate in Srisailam. Some devotees have urged the temple administration to take direct control of accommodation, as the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams does. Meanwhile, about 50 new applications seeking land for choultries are pending, with each applicant reportedly depositing around Rs 50 lakh with the Devasthanam.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Srisailam's choultry system dates to 1984, when the temple began leasing land to community associations at nominal rates. The model was meant to provide low-cost lodging but has gradually turned commercial as demand surged. Unlike Tirumala, where the TTD directly runs all accommodation at fixed tariffs, Srisailam leaves pricing and upkeep to individual associations, creating wide variation in quality. The 65 existing choultries are run by groups including Reddys, Vadderas, Kammas and Lingayats. With 50 fresh applications pending and political pressure alleged, the state endowment department will have to decide whether to tighten oversight or shift toward the TTD model. The temple's next board meeting may reveal the direction.
The next step is for the Andhra Pradesh Endowments Department to rule on the 50 pending land applications and any new regulations on choultry tariffs and tenure.
Source: deccanchronicle.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
