The Vizag experienced a significant increase in the number of devotees as they came together to take part in the annual Simhachala Giri Pradakshina. The event, held to seek blessings from Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, started on Sunday morning at 5 am and attracted a large crowd of hundreds of thousands by midday.
The Prachara Rathayatra, an important part of the tradition, was inaugurated by Simhachalam Devasthanam EO Trinath and City Police Commissioner Trivikramavarma. They began the procession by beating a coconut at a specific location, signaling the start. The devotees then walked a distance of 32 kilometers, passing through different areas like Hanumantavaka Junction, Tenneti Park, MVP Double Road, Sitammadhara, Madhavadhara, NAD Junction, Gopalapatnam, Buchirajupalem, and Prahladapuram via the BRTS road.
Not only residents of Visakhapatnam, but also devotees from nearby districts and the state of Odisha actively participated in the Giripradakshina. It has become a tradition for rain to fall during the Giri Pradakshina, and this year was no different. The devotees expressed their happiness by chanting the praises of Simhadri Appanna Mahima when it rained on Sunday evening.
To ensure a smooth event, a security plan was put in place with the help of 2,100 policemen under the guidance of CP Trivikrama Varma. GVMC Commissioner Saikanthvarma took steps to comply with the government’s ban on single-use plastic items during the giri pradakshina and Swami darshan, in line with environmental protection efforts.
The organizers made arrangements to cater to the needs of the devotees. Fresh water and ORS packets were provided to 734,000 people at 102 points along the Giri circumambulation route. The Health Department set up 31 medical camps to offer emergency medical services, and over 20 private hospitals also set up medical camps. Sixteen ambulances were stationed at regular intervals to ensure prompt medical assistance if required.
Numerous voluntary service organizations set up stalls along the Giri circumambulation route, offering free drinking water, soft drinks, buttermilk, tea, almond milk, and rice prasad to the devotees, showing their dedication to serving the pilgrims.
After the Ashad Poornami Giri Pradakshina, a large number of people are expected to visit Simhadri Appanna on the occasion of Ashad Poornami on Monday. Additional queue lines have been arranged to make it easier for devotees to have darshan of the Lord. The Temple administration adjusted the darshan timings, allowing devotees to visit Swami between 5 am and 4 pm, and from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Nityannadanam, the provision of daily meals to devotees, will continue until 9 pm from Monday morning onwards.
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