Tight Security, Massive Arrangements in Place for Simhachalam Chandanotsavam

Simhachalam is set to host the annual Chandanotsavam of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy on Monday (April 20, 2026), with authorities putting in place extensive arrangements to manage the expected surge of devotees and ensure smooth darshan.

Officials said preparations have been intensified over the past few months through multiple inspections, mock drills, and coordination meetings involving the district administration, Endowments Department, Simhachalam Devasthanam, and city police. “Every department has been working in close coordination to ensure there are no gaps in arrangements this year,” a senior official said.

In the wake of last year’s wall collapse incident that claimed seven lives, safety measures have been significantly strengthened. Structural audits, crowd regulation systems, and emergency response protocols have been tightened, with NDRF and SDRF teams deployed at key locations. “The focus this year is on preventing any risk, however small, and ensuring immediate response capability,” officials noted.

About 40,000 tickets across ₹300, ₹1,000, and ₹1,500 categories have already been sold online, while free darshan will also be provided for general devotees. Darshan is expected to begin between 3.30 am and 4 am. “We are aiming to complete Antaralaya darshan within an hour to avoid congestion inside the temple,” an Endowments Department official said.

Security and logistics have been significantly scaled up, with 2,800 police personnel deployed and a command control centre established on the hill for real-time monitoring. CCTV surveillance and drone tracking will be used, while traffic restrictions remain in force on key routes. “Our priority is safe movement of devotees from the foothills to the temple and back without bottlenecks,” a police official said.