2 Pancharama Kshetrams in EG closed for repairs

RAJAHMUNDRY: Two of the five Pancharama Kshetrams have been closed for repairs.Sri Manikyamba Sahita Bhimeswara Swamy temple at Draksharama and Sri Chalukya Kumara Rama Bhimeswara Swamy temple at Samalkot in East Godavari district were closed on Thursday to undertake repair works. The two temples will be reopened on June 27. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will give a chemical coating to the 14-ft high crystal Siva Lingam in Draksharama temple as part of the repair works. All other sub-temples on the premises will remain closed during the period.Utsav Murthis, Drhuva Murthis and Kalyana Murthis of the Lord were installed in Nandi Mandapam to enable devotees visiting the  temple to have a darshan during the period. Before closure of the temple, Kalasa Sthapana and Kala Prakarshan were performed.The Siva Lingam in the temple got damaged on the top and middle portions due to performance of Abhishekam everyday with water, milk, fruit juice and coconut water. Hundreds of devotees perform Abhishekam to the Siva Lingam in the 14th century temple.The ASI gave a chemical coating to the Siva Lingam in 1991 to prevent damage to it. In October 2010, a team of ASI officials who inspected the temple, underlined the need to give a fresh chemical coating to the Siva Lingam as it got damaged on the top and middle portions.On the advice of ASI, performance of Abhishekam to the Lord with milk, coconut water and fruit juice was stopped in April to prevent further damage to the crystal Siva Lingam. ASI superintendent PS Raghavendra Rao is overseeing the chemical coating work. Speaking to Express, temple executive officer KNVDV Prasad said rituals to the Lord would be performed as usual during the period of its closure.  The ASI is also applying a chemical coating to the Siva Lingam in Sri Chalukya Kumara Rama Bhimeswara Swamy temple at Samalkot.Temple executive officer M Lakshmi Narayana said the chemical coating was being applied to the Siva Lingam in the ancient temple to prevent damage to it due to performance of  Abhishekam as part of daily rituals.