Police Announce Traffic Restrictions for Simhachalam Giri Pradakshina
32-km temple walk prompts diversions; key roads closed, parking set for devotees
Visakhapatnam: The Visakhapatnam city police have announced traffic restrictions across the city in preparation for the annual Giri Pradakshina (circumambulation) of the Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Simhachalam temple, scheduled for July 9-10.
The religious procession will commence at 6 am on July 9 from Tolipavancha and cover approximately 32 kilometres, passing through major areas including Adivivaram, Hanumanthuwaka, Jodugulla Palem, Appughar, Venkoji Palem, H.B. Colony, Seethamadhara, Narasimhanagar, Madhavadhara, and several other localities before returning to Tolipavancha.
From 6 am on July 9 to 6 am on July 10, vehicular movement will be completely prohibited between Hanumanthuwaka Junction and Adivivaram Junction in both directions. Motorists have been advised to use alternative routes via PM Palem and Anandapuram during this period.
Additional major closures include the stretch from Adivivaram to Gopalapatnam Petrol Bunk, with restrictions extending until 5 pm on July 10. Heavy vehicles travelling from Anakapalli toward Visakhapatnam will be required to take the Sabbavaram route via Lankalapalem Junction.
The temple authorities have designated specific parking areas for devotees participating in the Giri Pradakshina. Those coming from Adivivaram can park at the junction and walk to Kalasham Junction via Gandhinagar and Koneru. Devotees from the Vepagunta and Gopalapatnam areas can use parking facilities at Simhapuri Kolani, RTC Place, GVMC Park, and VMRDA Place.
For devotees arriving from the Hanumanthavaka side, parking will be available at Skill Development and Dumping Yard Junction, with free mini buses provided by the temple to transport them to Aadivivaram New Tollgate.
Long-distance travellers face major diversions, with private travel buses and RTC services between Anakapalli, Srikakulam, and Vizianagaram being rerouted through Anandapuram, Pendurthi, and Sabbavaram. Vehicles heading to major destinations, including Rajahmundry, Vijayawada, and Hyderabad, will be diverted at Anandapuram.
The restrictions also affect access to key city locations, with no vehicular movement allowed from Inorbit Mall to Kailashpuram and from Madhavadhara Junction to Madhav Swamy Temple during the period.