Page:A Family History of Venkatagiri Rajas.djvu/118

 happiness and prosperity. The dream repeated itself a number of times, and served to increase the faith of the Rajah. When after a few months the Sadhu arrived, the Rajah welcomed him with a fitting reception, and installed the idol in a grand temple, built for the purpose on the left bank of the Kaivalya, in an auspicious moment in 1760 A.D.

Then the necessary improvements to the temple were made. A huge tower at the entrance was constructed 82 feet high with an imposing gate-way and high compound wall. Also a big stone-built hall opposite to the main tower with a gold flagstaff, Another temple too in the same premises for the worship of Sree Kumaraswamy, the son of Siva and his two consorts. In 1774 A.D. the Rajah dedicated as a perpetual gift, the income of a village Chintagunta in Venkatagiri taluk, to meet the expenses of daily worship.

Chief among the other religious endowments are (1) a choultry built at Nayudupet