The chariot was being used to take deities in a procession during annual Brahmotsavalu. The Brahmotsavalu was slated to solemnized from March 4.
The priests and temple staff noticed the about 50 feet height chariot burning in flames in the wee hours. The locals made a vain bid to put out the flames.
Kavali MLA Ramireddy Prathap Kumar Reddy and Bitragunta Sub-Inspector Bharat Kumar visited the scene.
Meanwhile, Minister for Endowment Vallampalli Srinivas ordered an inquiry into the incident. In a statement here, the Minister said that he had spoken with Superintendent of police of Nellore district and Endowment Department Principal Secretary Usha Rani in this regard. Meanwhile, sources said that police arrested one person in the regard.(UNI)