Amaravati, February 14: The Andhra Pradesh Forest Department has granted special permission for devotees to offer prayers at the Gundla Malleswara Swamy temple on February 14 and 15.
Nestled deep in the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve, the temple home to a self-manifested Shiva Lingam linked to sage Ashwaddama opens to the public only during Maha Sivaratri each year to protect wildlife and the fragile ecosystem.
Initial restrictions stemmed from an ongoing tiger census, but intervention by Minorities Welfare Minister N. Md Farooq and approval from Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan (who oversees forests and environment) led to the go-ahead.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests P.V. Chalapathi Rao issued the orders, urging strict adherence to safety guidelines.
