Visakhapatnam: The annual Chandanotsavam of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy on Simhachalam Hill began amid gaiety and religious fervour in the early hours on Sunday (April 23).
The Bhagwan Narasimha Swamy deity is covered with sandalwood paste for the entire year except for today. Only today, Bhagwan Narasimha swami’s real deity is visible. That is why every year on Akshaya Tritiya, the festival is celebrated, which is called Chandanotsavam.
As per the tradition, temple hereditary trustee, chairman and former union minister P Ashok Gajapati Raju had the first darshan of the deity. Later Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) Chairman Subba Reddy offered silk clothes to Bhagwan Lakshmi Narasimha swami.
Subba Reddy told ANI that the deity is covered in sandalwood throughout the year and only on Vaisakhi Suddha Tadiya (Akshaya Tritiya) Nijarupa darshan of the deity is allowed. After the conclusion of the daily rituals on April 22, temple priests removed the sandalwood paste.
Commissioner of Police Trivikram Varma said to ANI, “As many as 2,100 police personnel were deployed to oversee law and order and traffic arrangements. Parking slots for private vehicles at Simhachalam foothill eased the congestion on top of the hill. Due to the low parking place on the hill, Only VVIP vehicles were allowed except people coming on RTC free buses.”
“Apart from the devasthanam, several NGOs and voluntary organisations distributed buttermilk and jaggery water to devotees standing in queue lines. As of now, 25000 people were had darshanam by 9 am. We expect more than 1.2 to 1.4 lakh devotees to Bhagwan Narasimha Swamy. “said Trivikram Varma”.
Around 2,100 police personnel have been deployed for Simhachalam’s annual Chandanotsavam festival scheduled on April 23. Severe traffic congestion is likely to occur, especially in the West Sub-division limits, as over 1.5 lakh devotees from various parts of the State are likely to visit the temple to witness the ‘Nijaroopa Darshanam’.
The police have arranged separate parking places for devotees on and down the hill According to traffic police personnel, devotees with ₹300, ₹1,000 tickets and free darshan coming from Sontyam and Hanumanthuwaka areas can park their vehicles, whether it is two/four and auto-rickshaws in allocated parking lots at Adavivaram.
The Devasthanam officials have arranged buses for the devotees from Adavivaram Junction to go to Simhachalam Hill. The traffic police have asked heavy vehicles coming from Hanumanthauwaka to use the Anandapuram route to reach Pendurthi and Gopalapatnam instead of using Adavivaram. (ANI)
