Over one lakh devotees to visit Simhachalam today
Temple of Lord Narasimha Swamy illuminated with lights on the eve of Chandanotsavam at Simhachalam in Visakhapatnam on Monday. (Photo: DC)
Visakhapatnam: The Simhachalam Temple in the city is gearing up for the annual Chandanotsavam to be held on Tuesday and the auspicious occasion gains more significance with the Nijarupa darshan of Lord Sri Lakshminrushimha, in which the existing sandalwood paste on the main deity is removed and fresh paste is applied once a year.
The Chandanotsavam is the annual ritual conducted at the temple and on the auspicious day, devotees get a rare chance to witness the actual form of the lord. The main deity in the temple, on other days, is visible coated in a layer of Chandanam. It may be noted that the process is conducted on Vaisakha Suddha Tadiya, as per the Telugu almanac, when the Lord's sandalwood paste is removed and is covered with a fresh layer brought from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
The ceremonial process would start some time in the midnight and during the process of removal of the sandal paste, the sanctum sanctorum doors remain closed. Abhishekam and special prayers will be performed after the deity is fully uncovered at around 3 am. Hereditary trustee of the temple, Ananda Gajapathi Raju, will be the first person to have the darshan at around 4 am and only later will be the other devotees allowed.
Meanwhile, HRD minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao is personally monitoring arrangements at the Temple. He said devotees who follow the queue for darshan would be given top priority. In spite of the protocol, darshan would be made hassle free for devotees, added Mr Rao. Interacting with mediapersons at Simhach-alam, he said they were expecting more than one lakh devotees not only from Andhra Pradesh but also from neighbouring states like TS, Odisha, and Chattisgarh. Drinking water, milk for children, and biscuits would be supplied for devotees and the police department has also arranged police force to avoid stampede on the premises.
Besides various government departments, 40 non profit organisations would also be providing service activities. The minister suggested police officials to be watchful during the huge gathering of devotees as a stampede had occurred a couple of years ago. He also asked medical and health officials to be ready with emergency medicines, first-aid kits and ambulances for quick assistance. Around 1,500 cops have been deployed for monitoring the situation. The Hare Krishna Movement and Akshaya Patra Foundation are arranging Narasimha Panakam counters at Simhachalam temple from 7 am to 7 pm on Tuesday. The stalls will be open in the exit pathway of the temple near Gokulam.
( Source : dc correspondent )
Next Story
