Jambavantha temples sought in SC colonies

Special Correspondent

Madiga Samskritika Vedika bring out `Maha Adi Jambavantha' calendar

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First Jambavantha temple constructed last year in Ranga Reddy district Jambavantha Puranam says Madigas are Jambvantha's descendents Madiga Samskritika Vvedika to approach the Government for funds HYDERABAD: The Madiga community in the State is all set to take up a campaign with a difference. While agitating for the categorisation of Scheduled Castes, it has decided to exert pressure on the Government to construct temples of Lord Jambavantha in all SC colonies. Claiming to be descendents of the lord, who is revered by the community, activists of the Madiga Samskritika Vedika have come up with a slogan of an exclusive temple for Jambavantha in each Dalitwada, in the place of Lord Rama. To boost the campaign, the organisation brought out a `Maha Adi Jambavantha' calendar, which was released by Kancha Ilaiah of Osmania University on Saturday. "The Government recently said it would construct 25,000 Ramalayams in Dalitwadas. What we want is a temple for our lord Jambavantha and not Lord Rama," Prof. Ilaiah said. Discrimination decried Decrying untouchability and caste discrimination, they said when SCs were denied entry into temples there was nothing wrong in espousing the cause of the community by seeking an exclusive temple for their god. "Madigas can gain self-respect by offering prayers in the temple of their god," Prof. Ilaiah said, adding that `Jambavantha Puranam' clearly established that Madigas were Jambvantha's descendents. H. Chandraiah, president of the vedika, said the first Jambavantha temple was constructed last year at Kollapadakal village in Maheshwaram mandal of Ranga Reddy district. Such temples would be built in all Dalitwadas and the vedika would approach the Government for funds. http://www.hindu.com/2006/01/01/stories/2006010110490400.htm