Chandanotsavam: thousands of devotees throng Simhachalam temple for darshan of deity
The festivities began with 'Suprabhatam' at 1 a.m. (early hours of Wednesday), followed by Viswaksena puja, Punyavachanam, Ritwikgvaranam, Panchakalavahanam and Chananottaram. Hereditary trustee of the temple P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju and his family members were the first to have darshan, as per the practice at the temple, around 3 a.m. He carried the silk vastrams, had darshan, and presented the silk vastram to the deity in a silver plate. He was received by the priests with temple honours.
Revenue Minister Anagani Satya Prasad presented silk vastrams to the deity on behalf of the State government. Ministers, MPs and MLAs had darshan in the early hours.
The authorities allowed ₹300 ticket holders into ₹1,000 queue lines as there was no other option in view of the wall collapse on devotees in the ₹300 ticket queue line and rescue work was going on. This resulted in chaos till around noon but the situation improved later.
The wall collapse and death of devotees, however, did not hamper darshan of the deity. Though a number of free buses were deployed to ferry passengers to the hilltop and back to the foothill after darshan, they seemed far from adequate as thousands of devotees thronged the temple.
RTC buses were operated from the Gosala Junction (near the petrol bunk) and from the Adavivaram side entry. Devotees had a tough time, in getting a foothold in the buses from the hilltop after darshan.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
7 days ago
- Time of India
Lakhs take part in Simhachalam Giri Pradakshina
Visakhapatnam: Lakhs of devotees participated in the Giri Pradakshina of Simhachalam Temple, braving a 32 km journey around the Simhachalam hill on foot, mostly barefoot. The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) authorities used artificial intelligence-based facial recognition to count the number of devotees, which crossed two lakhs by late night. The annual festival of Lord Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy started after 2 pm, but devotees began their spiritual walk much before the god's chariot started its journey. The hereditary trustee, Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju, started the Giri Pradakshina chariot along with Bheemili MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao, Visakha West MLA Ganababu, and MPs M Sribharat, Kalisetti Appala Naidu. Around 125 kilos of Srigandham were offered to Lord Narasimha Swamy. For those unable to complete the 32 km Giri Pradakshina, the temple authorities provided Alaya Pradakshina at 3 am. The devotees, including the elderly, children, and women in large numbers, were seen taking part in the Pradakshina, chanting "Govinda" and filling the air with spiritual fervor. Many voluntary organizations extended their services by providing Anna Prasadam and snacks to thousands of devotees along the 32 km stretch. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Launch: 2/3/4 BHK Luxury in Panvel L&T Panvel Enquire Now Undo by Taboola by Taboola The Sri Satya Sai Seva organisation provided massages to relieve leg pains and offered milk, prasadam, and snacks to the devotees. The authorities made extensive arrangements, including 40 counters with 100 iron girders, 400 temporary toilets, and 120 permanent toilets. Lighting was provided in 32 dark places on the route with 750 lights. Medical camps, ambulances, and super-specialty medical teams were stationed along the stretch. Drinking water points, public address systems, control rooms, and other facilities were also arranged. However, traffic restrictions caused discomfort to commuters in the city, with many internal roads close to the Giri Pradakshina route closed. People in MVP Colony, Venkojipalem, HB Colony, and Seetammadhara area expressed anger due to the road closures.
New Indian Express
07-07-2025
- New Indian Express
All set for three-day Shakambari festival
VIJAYAWADA: The three-day annual Shakambari Utsavalu at Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam (SDMSD) atop Indrakeeladri will begin on July 8, with arrangements underway, temple authorities said. Temple EO VK Seena Naik told TNIE that over 4 lakh devotees from AP and neighbouring States are expected. The presiding deity will be adorned as Shakambari Devi, a divine form symbolising abundance and fertility, and decorated each day with fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Naik said tenders for related works have been finalised. The celebrations will begin on the morning of July 8 with rituals including Vighneswara Puja, Ruthvik Varuna, Punyavachanam, Akhanda Deeparadhana, Ankurarpanam, Vastu Homam, and Kalasa Sthapana. Introduced in 2007, the Shakambari Utsavam has grown into a significant spiritual event, supported by traders and devotees donating offerings. According to legend, Shakambari Devi defeated the drought demon Dhuroorudu and brought prosperity by turning her tears into fertile lands. A major attraction of the event is the distribution of 'Kadambam Prasadam', made from the offerings used in the deity's decoration. District Collector G Lakshmisha and NTR District CP SV Rajashekhar Babu recently reviewed arrangements and security plans. 'Additional police personnel will be deployed, and crowd management technology used during Dasara will be adopted to ensure a smooth experience,' he said.
The Hindu
06-07-2025
- The Hindu
GVMC to strictly implement ban on single-use plastic during Giri Pradakshina festival
Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) will continue to implement a strict ban on the usage of single-use plastic during the Giri Pradakshina festival, the annual ritual of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, scheduled for July 9. Ever since launching the 'Eco-Vizag' initiative in 2022, the GVMC has been spreading awareness on the use of single-use plastic. For the past few Giri Pradakshina festivals, plastic use was strictly banned. The authorities are taking steps to ensure this continues. This year, the district administration is expecting the participation of around five lakh devotees in the 'Giri Pradakshina', which starts on July 9 early morning. The corporation has already conducted a check along the 32-km trekking route and decided to set up 132 drinking water supply kiosks, one for every 200 metres. Besides the corporation, Simhachalam Devasthanam, a number of NGOs, resident welfare associations, welfare organisations, student organisations and volunteers are coming forward to set up drinking water, butter milk and food kiosks. The GVMC authorities have urged the RWAs, NGOs and other volunteers coming forward to the service to use only eco-friendly products to serve food or water. Chief Medical and Health Officer Naresh Kumar said the ban on single-use plastic will be strictly enforced during the festival. He clarified that, with the exception of buttermilk packets, all food and beverages should be served in eco-friendly alternatives such as paper cups, leaf plates or other sustainable materials. He added that regular water bottles sold in shops will not be restricted. Over 3,000 sanitation staff In view of the large congregation, around 3,000 sanitation staff are being deployed across the 32-km stretch of the Giri Pradakshina route. The staff are going to work on shifts and ensure the trekking route is clear. In the meanwhile, the corporation will also set up dustbins along the route and urge the public to utilise them.
