Lakhs Take Part In Simhachalam Giri Pradakshina
Lakhs of devotees took part in the 32-km Simhachalam Giri Pradakshina in Visakhapatnam amid tight security and elaborate arrangements.
The annual Giri Pradakshina of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy of Simhachalam in Vizag city on Tuesday witnessed lakhs of devotees performing the ritual. The 32-km circumambulation began at the Tholi Pavancha in the early hours of Tuesday amid an intermittent drizzle and overcast sky.
Hereditary trustee of the temple and Governor of Goa Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju flagged off Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy’s Pushparatham (floral chariot)from Tholi Pavancha. The streets of Adavivaram, Hanumanthawaka, Jodugullapalem, Appughar, Venkojipalem, HB Colony, Seethammadhara, Gopalapatnam, Prahladapuram and Srinivasa Nagar teemed with people, with many chanting “Govinda, Govinda” while enthusiastically continuing their 32-km trek without showing any signs of fatigue.
Many of the devotees took a dip at Jodugullapalem Beach for relief and continued their trek. Representatives of many organizations distributed drinking water and refreshments.
City police deployed more than 2,700 personnel at various places in the city for the smooth conduct of the event and to regulate traffic. The roads, particularly at Appughar, MVP colony, Hanumanthawaka, Venkojipalem, and Madhavadhara remained crowded with devotees. Motorists had a tough time.
Municipal commissioner Ketan Garg personally inspected the route and enquired from devotees about their feedback on the facilities provided.
For the first time, showers have been arranged on the beach for the devotees for a bath on Wednesday, which marks the Guru Purnima.
Police commissioner Dr. Shankhabrata Bagchi supervised the security arrangements. No untoward incidents have been reported on the occasion.
