Simhachalam Chandanotsavam: Massive Arrangements for Smooth Devotee Flow
The district administration and the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) have made comprehensive arrangements for the annual Chandanotsavam of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy at Simhachalam, scheduled to be held on April 20, officials said on Saturday.
District Collector M. Abhishikt Kishore and GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg reviewed the preparations and assured that all necessary measures have been taken to manage the large influx of devotees expected for the annual ritual. Speaking to the media, Kishore said nearly two lakh devotees are anticipated to visit the temple this year for the sacred occasion.
He informed that darshan will begin at 4 a.m., immediately after the first pooja is performed. The administration has also streamlined ticketing arrangements, with around 40,000 tickets in the ₹300, ₹1,000, and ₹1,500 categories already sold online. For those without advance bookings, free darshan facilities will be made available.
To ease transportation to the hilltop temple, authorities have arranged 100 special buses free of cost for devotees. These services are expected to reduce congestion and ensure smoother access to the shrine throughout the day.
Officials have also imposed restrictions on private vehicles beyond designated entry points. Devotees have been instructed to park their vehicles at 32 identified parking locations at the foothills, from where transport arrangements will be facilitated.
Kishore added that several crowd management measures have been introduced to improve the overall experience of devotees. The queue lines have been redesigned and shortened to reduce waiting time. In addition, protective canopies have been installed along waiting areas to shield devotees from heat and possible rain.
Experienced personnel from major temple administrations, including Tirumala and Vijayawada, have been deployed to assist with queue regulation and crowd movement. Officials said these measures aim to ensure a safe, orderly, and comfortable darshan for all devotees attending the Chandanotsavam.