Markapur Chennakesava

As Andhra Pradesh braces itself for celebrating in a big way the 500th coronation of Sri Krishnadevaraya from July five, the famous Chennakesava Swamy temple in Markapur in Prakasam district is spruced up.
While the first storey was constructed during the Krishnadeva Raya's regime, the other storeys were added in the year 1837 by one Lingaraju, he adds. The 18 inscriptions on the walls of the temple constructed in 1425 A.D gives a vivid account of the socio-economic condition and cultural life of the people in Sri Krishnadevaraya's times, he says. The king had donated 355.14 acres in 14 villages for the upkeep of the temple. The temple, where a statue of great king was installed, got the name Kesava after the Lord killed a demon Kesi. The Lord is accompanied by his consort Lakshmi.