Telangana’s Maldakal, faith limits floors: No house taller than the deity’s palanquin

In Maldakal, reverence for Sri Swayambhu Lakshmi Venkateswara Swamy dictates the village’s architecture, with a long-standing tradition prohibiting multi-story houses. This unique practice stems from a belief that taller buildings would disrespect the deity during ‘pallaki seva,’ where the god is carried in a palanquin. Locals recount instances where attempts to build higher resulted in misfortune, reinforcing their devotion.