Simhachalam Temple Trust Board Approves 41 Development Proposals

Visakhapatnam: Goa Governor and hereditary trustee of the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Devasthanam, Simhachalam, P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju offered prayers at the temple on Saturday and later chaired the temple trust board meeting, during which 41 development proposals were approved.

Executive officer Jallepalli Venkata Rao presented an agenda comprising 43 proposals related to the temple's administration and development. Of these, the board approved 41 proposals, kept one proposal pending for further consideration and rejected another.

The approved proposals are aimed at improving temple infrastructure, strengthening administrative systems and enhancing facilities for the thousands of devotees who visit the temple.

Earlier, the Governor was accorded a traditional welcome by the temple executive officer and priests. Following temple customs, he embraced the sacred Kappa Sthambham and participated in special rituals. Priests performed Ashtottara Shatanamarchana in his name at the sanctum, after which he received Mangala Harathi at the shrine of Goddess Goda Devi.

At the Beda Mandapam, Vedic scholars blessed the Governor while Nadaswaram artistes presented traditional devotional music. He also participated in the ceremonial sandalwood grinding for the Jyestha Pournami Chandanotsavam, a significant ritual in which sandal paste is prepared for offering to the presiding deity.

Temple authorities presented him with the Lord's sacred silk garments, a framed portrait of the deity and prasadam.

Later, the Governor visited the Krishnapuram Goshala and paid floral tributes to the statue of his late father, Dr P V G Raju.