Simhachalam: 2 Lakh Devotees Expected for Chandanotsavam
"Only RTC buses and mini-buses arranged by the temple will be allowed on the hill during Chandanotsavam with exceptions made only for vehicles with special VIP passes," said the Police Commissioner Shankhabrata Bagchi
Visakhapatnam: Nearly 2 lakh devotees are expected to attend the Chandanotsavam at the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple in Simhachalam, Visakhapatnam, on Wednesday (April 30).
District collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad and joint collector K. Mayur Ashok, accompanied by other officials, inspected the security arrangements, accessibility routes, queue management systems and amenities for devotees at the temple on Tuesday morning.
"We want to ensure that devotees coming from far-away areas can wait comfortably at the bottom of the hill and at designated holding points," said the collector.
In view of the rising temperatures, shamianas (ceremonial tents) and adequate drinking water stations have been installed throughout the premises.
"Clear signboards should be set up to direct devotees with Rs.300, Rs.1000, and Rs.1,500 tickets to their respective queue lines," said the collector, asking officials to carefully scan tickets.
Police Commissioner Shankhabrata Bagchi, who conducted a separate inspection, outlined a detailed vehicle parking strategy. Devotees arriving from different directions will have designated parking areas which will be further segregated based on ticket categories.
"Only RTC buses and mini-buses arranged by the temple will be allowed on the hill during Chandanotsavam with exceptions made only for vehicles with special VIP passes," said the commissioner.
The city has established six holding points across Visakhapatnam -- Srinivasa Nagar Kalyanamandapam, Old Gosala Junction, Adavivaram Junction, New Gosala, Simhapuri Colony, and the New toll gate bus complex. Seven bus pickup points have been designated to transport devotees to the temple on the hill.
Meanwhile, the Visakha South Hindu Dharmika Parishad has requested authorities to close all liquor shops, meat shops, and non-vegetarian food centres in the surrounding areas of Simhachalam during the festival.
As part of preparations, medical camps will be established at strategic locations, bio-toilets installed throughout the premises, and public address systems set up to guide devotees throughout the day.
Local residents have been advised to use alternative routes during the festival.
