Simhachalam Giri Pradakshina to attract lakhs of devotees

Time of India

5 days ago

: The port city is gearing up for the highly anticipated Simhachalam Giri Pradakshina, a spiritual walk of devotion that attracts lakhs of devotees every year. The event, which will take place on Wednesday, involves a 32 km walk around the Simhachalam hill, starting and ending at Tholipavancha, the foothill of Simhachalam.
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The route passes through various locations, including Adavivaram, Central Prison, Mudasarlova, Health City, Hanumanthawaka, Venkojipalem, HB Colony, Muralinagara, Madhavadhara, NSTL, Gopalapatnam, Prahladapuram, and Gosala.
The district administration and temple management are expecting around five to six lakh devotees to participate in the event, and extensive arrangements have been made to ensure their safety and convenience.
Around 3,000 police personnel from various districts, including the city police commissionerate, Anakapalli, Alluri Sitarama Raju district, Vizianagaram, and Srikakulam, have been deployed for security and traffic management duties.
The spiritual walk is an act of pure devotion, with devotees mostly walking barefoot and chanting Lord Vishnu's name throughout the night. The district collector, Harendira Prasad, has stated that arrangements have been made for around six lakh people, including 35 medical camps and 10 ambulances.
The devotees will be allowed to have a holy bath at the Appughar area, with 50 expert swimmers and a few boats stationed in the waters for safety.
Following a tragic wall collapse incident during the Chandanotsavam in April this year, which resulted in the deaths of seven devotees, and a shed collapse a couple of days ago, the district administration and temple management have taken extra precautions to ensure the safety of the devotees.
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Mobile toilets, drinking water facilities, medical camps, and temporary shelters have been set up along the 32 km route.
The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) is focused on street lighting and sanitation to ensure the safety and hygiene of the devotees. Various voluntary organizations are involved in community service by setting up Prasadam, Annadanam stalls, water, buttermilk, and refreshments.
The city police commissioner, Sankabrata Bagchi, has stated that the entire route will be under CCTV surveillance, linked to the command control centre. Devotees can rest at the holding points, and if they need any help, they can contact the police or use the Astram App. With these arrangements in place, the Simhachalam Giri Pradakshina is expected to be a successful and memorable event for the devotees.