Kakinada: The 126-year-old Ome Bhawan, built by the Brahmo Samaj under the inspiration of Raja Rammohan Roy, is in a dilapidated condition.
In the historic city of Kakinada, the structure is known as Andhra Brahmapasana Temple, Ome Bhavan and other names. Although the heritage buildings used to be full of people, they have attracted little attention now.
In 1898 the building started functioning at Kakinada. Brahmos believe in one God (Ekeshwar), who has no name. So there is no idol for worship in the temple.
It was built under the guidance of the Maharaja of the Pithapuram Institute, RVKM Surarao Bahadur, his mentor and father-figure Raghupati Venkata Rantam Naidu, the first elected Vice-Chancellor of the University of Madras and later the Principal of PR College, Kakinada.
He built the temple in a combination of Hindu, Muslim and Christian architectural styles. Above the temple, the sacred universal letter OM is prominently displayed.
The temple was built to emphasize the faith of universality and brotherhood and to invite all to come together to pray without discrimination of caste, creed and creed.
Hemchandra Sarkar, a well-known social worker of the Calcutta-based Brahmo Samaj, inaugurated the building. Brahmos and intellectuals from all over the country participated in the inauguration ceremony. Pithapuram Raja Rao Bahadur Surya Rao dedicated the building to the people of Kakinada.
After the death of Raghupati Venkata Ratnam Naidu in 1939, his mortal remains were kept in a marble urn in the memorial pavilion built behind the temple. Prayers, public meetings, conferences and inter-caste marriages were held in the temple,” notes Intak East Godavari District Coordinator, VVVLN Murthy, author of several books on Indian architecture.
Environmentalist T Rajya Lakshmi and her husband Sasibhushan looked after the building till their death. In later years, no renovations were done to the building.
Notably, in 2010, the Òme building was handed over to the AP Archeology Department. Its assistant director K Thimma Raju told Deccan Chronicle that the building was in a dilapidated condition. The department has sent a proposal to the government for allocation of Rs 1 crore for its renovation.
He informed that 5.5 lakhs is required for temporary repairs to protect the structure to some extent and said that he has submitted a proposal to the district administration office.
Meanwhile, the People’s World Commission on Drought and Floods led by Jana Sena leader Bolisetti
Satyanarayan took charge of the preservation of the building to some extent and formed a committee.
Rotarian LVV Satyanarayana and Dr. Chitla Kiran took the initiative to clear the way to the temple by clearing the bushes. They are also doing other work for the preservation of the monument.
INTACH leader VVVLN Murthy suggests that Kakinada dignitaries like poets, writers, and others should convene their meetings at the temple as it was established as Balajicheruvu as the heart of Kakinada city.