The State Forest Department has permitted devotees to visit the Gundla Malleswara Swamy temple on February 14 and 15. The temple lies deep inside the dense Nallamala forests within the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve, along the Nandyal and Markapuram district borders. The temple is famous for its Swayambhu Shiva Lingam, said to be consecrated by sage Ashwaddama and worshipped for centuries. Because it is in a protected Tiger Reserve, devotees are allowed to visit only for two days each year during Maha Sivaratri, following strict restrictions. Initially, the Forest Department denied entry this year due to the ongoing tiger census. However, Minorities Welfare Minister N. Md Farooq took up the issue with Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan, who manages the Forest and Environment portfolio. Mr. Pawan Kalyan directed the Forest Department to permit devotees to enter. Acting on this, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests P.V. Chalapathi Rao issued orders allowing visits for two days. Minister Farooq thanked Mr. Pawan Kalyan and appealed to devotees to follow all Forest Department guidelines during their darshan.