Wanaparthy: The centuries-old Sri Chennakesava Swamy Temple in Veepanagandla mandal has become the centre of controversy, with allegations of neglect in temple maintenance and irregularities in the management of its valuable endowment lands. They accused the Endowments Department of focusing on lease income while failing to safeguard the temple’s religious activities. According to villagers, the Endowments Department has conducted an auction for the temple lands only once in the last three decades. He clarified that cultivation rights had been granted only for 30 acres, while the remaining 30 acres are yet to be auctioned. Meanwhile, villagers have urged the Endowments Department to protect the temple’s assets, conduct transparent auctions of its lands, and restore regular religious services.