Srisailam temple management to plant 2,000 bilva trees in the temple town

The management of Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy temple, Srisailam is taking up plantatiion of the ‘bilva’ (Indian Bael) trees in the temple town in a big way.

Srisailam temple Executive Officer M Srinivasa Rao has taken up a massive drive to plant trees in the gardens, parking and open spaces, and on both sides of the ring road in the temple town as part of efforts to protect environment and beautify the temple town. In the plantation drive that had begun, the EO decided to plant ‘devata vrukshalu’ (divine trees) like bilva, kadambam, tella maddi, amla and neem, among others.

The temple management is already growing ‘Maha Bilva’ plants in the ‘Bhramari Pushpavanam’ in the temple town and has started planting 2,000 Bilva plants from Thursday onwards. Nellore-based NDR Group chairman N. Adikesavula Reddy has donated the 2,000 bilva plants to the management to plant them in the temple town.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao said they have planned to plant at least 5,000 plants in the temple town before the rainy season comes to an end. “We planned to plant divine trees, flower-bearing trees, ornamental trees and others in a planned manner to give shelter from heat to the visiting devotees at parking places and open places,” he said. Mr. Srinivasa Rao asked the horticulture department officials to provide tree guards and water them regularly to protect them.

Mr. Adikesavula Reddy said he donated bilva trees to the temple to enable them to get the leaves for daily use in the temple. for pujas and rituals.