Temple Executive Director VK Seena Nayak, Chairman Borra Radhakrishna (Gandhi) and Trust Board members inspect the historic Pasupateswara Temple at Indrakeeladri Hill in Vijayawada on Sunday. | Photo credit: ARRANGEMENT
Sri Durga Malleswaraswamyvarla Devasthanam authorities have initiated steps to restore the ancient Pasupateswara temple located on the Indrakeeladri hill, which is associated with the legendary episode of Arjuna obtaining the Pasupatastra from Lord Shiva.
On Sunday morning, the temple’s managing director VK Seena Nayak, chairman Borra Radhakrishna (Gandhi) and board members visited the historic shrine, which is currently in a dilapidated condition, to examine its historical significance and assess scope for restoration.
Accompanied by temple priests and technical staff, the team started the hill climb at around 6.45 am and reached the remote spot where the Pasupateswara temple stands.
Officials carefully inspected the temple, which was built in a style reminiscent of traditional Varanasi architecture with four gates. The shrine, which now lies in ruins, is believed to have considerable historical and mythological significance.
According to the Vanaparva of the Mahabharata, Arjuna performed intense penance at Indrakeeladri before the Kurukshetra war to obtain divine weapons. Lord Siva, testing his devotion, is said to have appeared in the guise of a hunter named Kirata and engaged Arjuna in a fight. Impressed by Arjuna’s prowess, Lord Siva later revealed his true form and granted him the powerful Pasupatastra. Arjuna himself is believed to have installed a Shiva Linga at this site to commemorate the divine meeting.
Historical evidence in the form of a stone inscription associated with the Kiratarjuneeyam episode, believed to date from the 7th or 8th century, also refers to this legend. However, over the centuries, the Siva Linga is believed to have gradually sunk into the ground.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Seena Nayak and Mr. Radhakrishna said that the temple authorities have received numerous requests from devotees seeking restoration of the Pasupateswara temple. They said a report has already been submitted to the government on the proposed restoration work.
They further said that steps would be taken to improve the access road to the top of the hill and clean up the area around the temple. The matter will also be brought to the attention of the Subsidies Minister and the Commissioner to start the restoration work as soon as possible. Trust Board member Harikrishna, temple technical staff, priests and other temple staff were also present during the inspection.
Published – 15 March 2026 20:10 IST
