Significance of ‘Nijaroopa Darshanam' of Lord Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy
2
Visakhapatnam: Seven people lost their lives when a wall collapsed during the annual
Chandanotsavam
at
Lord Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy
temple in Simhachalam. ThE unfortunate incident has renewed public attention on this age-old celebration at the famed temple.
Chandanotsavam, observed annually on
Akshaya Tritiya
, is one of the most significant festivals dedicated to Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, the presiding deity of Simhachalam. It draws lakhs of devotees not only from across Andhra Pradesh but also from neighbouring states like Odisha and Telangana. On this auspicious day, devotees gather in large numbers for a rare opportunity to witness the '
Nijaroopa Darshanam
' — the true, unadorned form of the Lord, which is revealed to the public for about 15 hours in the entire year.
Traditionally, the idol of Lord Narasimha Swamy is covered in a thick coating of chandanam (sandalwood paste) throughout the year, symbolising coolness, serenity, and the containment of the deity's intense energy. The origin of this tradition is rooted in local legend, which narrates that the deity's fierce form was once deemed too overwhelming for daily worship. To make His presence more approachable, it was decided that a cooling, fragrant layer of sandalwood paste would be applied, masking his intense expression.
The ritual of Chandanotsavam is intricate and spiritually profound. A week prior to Akshaya Tritiya, elaborate special pujas are performed, where the process of preparing the sacred paste begins. The paste is made from pure sandalwood blended with over 60 varieties of herbs and aromatic substances, ensuring its sanctity and therapeutic quality.
On the eve of Akshaya Tritiya, temple priests ceremoniously remove the aged sandalwood paste. The sacred act is followed by the 'Sahasra Ghatabhishekam', a ritual bath involving water brought from the Gangadhara spring on the Simhachalam hill, accompanied by the resonant chanting of Vedic hymns. It is during this phase that devotees are blessed with the divine darshan of the Lord's original form, an experience believed to cleanse the soul.
In the evening, a fresh layer of sandalwood paste is re-applied, completing the annual cycle of spiritual renewal. The ritual marks the deity's return to his veiled, compassionate form till the next Akshaya Tritiya. The Lord is offered the paste in four stages in a year, including the first one on Akshaya Tritiya day.
M Sundara Rao, a teacher who participated in Chandanotsavam on Wednesday, said it has become a practice for lakhs of people to witness the Nijarupa Darshana every year. "People believe it will provide them with religious merit and cleanse their souls," he said.
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