The Telangana State Endowment Department (TGED) is being widely praised for its efforts to remove encroachments from the lands of the Padmanabha Swamy temple in Attapur, Hyderabad. This initiative is part of a larger campaign to protect and restore temple properties in the region.
The issue has garnered additional attention through the “Jago Re” campaign by hmtv, led by Yamuna Pathak. The campaign focuses on safeguarding temples in the Old City. In an interview with The Hans India, Yamuna Pathak commended the TGED’s actions, noting that the public is supporting the move to reclaim temple lands. However, she also highlighted the need for continued efforts to address the challenges facing temples.
On Thursday, TGED achieved a significant milestone by clearing encroachments from temple lands in survey numbers 435 and 445. These lands, valued at around Rs 400 crore, have been entangled in legal disputes for nearly 20 years. A court ruling two months ago affirmed the temple’s ownership of the property, paving the way for the department to act.
Historically, the temple owned vast agricultural lands, but its holdings have now been reduced to about 35 acres. Much of this remaining land is reportedly leased to private individuals. There are growing concerns about further encroachments, including unauthorized constructions, some of which have been sold to unsuspecting buyers. Additionally, the temple is struggling to generate sufficient revenue from its leased properties, with allegations of unpaid rents adding to its financial troubles.
Yamuna Pathak, who has been actively advocating for the temple, called for greater transparency in the management of its assets. She urged the TGED to provide details about the temple’s agricultural and non-agricultural lands, as well as other properties it owns. She also expressed concern over the department’s leasing practices, alleging that lands are being leased at unreasonably low rates, which deprives the temple of critical revenue.
Given the historical significance of the Padmanabha Swamy temple, which is believed to be over 1,700 years old, Pathak emphasized the importance of recognizing it as a protected monument. She urged the TGED to establish preservation measures to ensure its long-term protection and proper management.
Pathak also recommended that the TGED implement a transparent system to disclose the status of the temple’s assets. This should include information about revenue streams, pending legal cases, and the overall value of lands impacted by encroachments. She stressed that such transparency is essential to building trust among devotees and the wider community.
The ongoing efforts to reclaim temple lands are being seen as a positive step, but Pathak believes that consistent action and openness from the TGED will be vital to safeguard the heritage and financial stability of the Padmanabha Swamy temple.
