The 1,300-year-old Sri Stambha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, where Lord Narasimha with Prahlada is enshrined, located in Billuru of Chikkaballapur district, was renovated and restored to its former glory by Sri Koduru Ramamurti, a Telugu native who is now settled in Sydney, Australia. Devotees from both the Telugu and Kannada communities frequently travel to Billuru to have the darshan of this divine deity. In this context, Sri Koduru Ramamurti organized, with great grandeur on 27.02.2026, the installation ceremony of the idol of Sri Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya within the same temple premises. The consecration was performed by the revered Sri Sri Sri Vidyaranya Bharati Mahaswami. As part of this event, a Gita Gaana Pravachanam was arranged by inviting Dr. L.V. Gangadhara Sastry, renowned singer, preacher and propagator of Bhagavadgita, founder chairman for Bhagavadgita Foundation.
During his discourse, Dr. Sastry explained the importance of the Bhagavadgita in everyday life. He stated that the Bhagavadgita was not taught merely for the upliftment of the Hindu community alone, but for the elevation of the entire human race. It is a universal text that transcends distinctions of country, time, caste, and religion, and stands as a profoundly humanistic scripture. He urged parents to take responsibility for learning the Gita themselves and teaching it to their children. By doing so, he said, it is possible to build a peaceful life free from mental stress, create an India free from corruption and bribery, and establish a noble and selfless society. He sang and explained, along with their meanings, several important verses that have made the Bhagavadgita renowned as a scripture of ideal living, a guide for personality development, a text that teaches Dharma, and a profound exposition of the philosophy of Karma. He further stated that the immortal service rendered by Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya, who wrote the earliest commentary on the Bhagavadgita, remains unparalleled. He emphasized that Shankaracharya played an extraordinary role in uniting Hindus and preventing the fragmentation of Sanatana Dharma. Therefore, he remarked that the installation of the idol of Adi Shankaracharya in this sacred kshetra is highly appropriate.
Dr. Gangadhara Sastry also praised Sri Koduru Ramamurti, stating that by restoring the Sri Stambha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, he has ensured that generations of his lineage will remember his contribution and that the people of his village will cherish his service for years to come. Through this noble act of selfless service, he said, Sri Koduru Ramamurti has earned an everlasting place in the hearts of Telugu people as a true Nishkama Karma Yogi.
