Simhachalam Chandanotsavam draws huge turnout

The annual Chandanotsavam of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy at Simhachalam was held with grandeur and deep religious fervour on Monday. Devotees from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and neighbouring states arrived in large numbers for the rare Nijarupa darshan (original form).

In the early hours, hereditary trustee P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju visited the temple. He, along with his family members, offered prayers to the presiding deity. In addition, Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha presented silk garments to the Lord on behalf of the State government.

Several leaders also visited the temple. These included Ministers Kondapalli Srinivas and Kollu Ravindra, BJP State president P.V.N. Madhav, TDP State president Palla Srinivasa Rao, Anakapalli MP C.M. Ramesh, MLAs, and senior officials.

Meanwhile, huge crowds gathered from early morning. As a result, the queue lines became extremely long. Devotees waited for hours for darshan of the deity in his Nijarupa. This form is seen only once a year during Chandanotsavam.

Because of the heavy rush, authorities tightened crowd control measures. They deployed additional staff across the temple premises. Furthermore, Home Minister Anitha personally monitored the arrangements. She coordinated with officials on the ground to manage the situation effectively.

In addition, the administration had already held several review meetings before the festival. These meetings focused on crowd management, infrastructure, and basic facilities. Therefore, arrangements for drinking water and queue systems were improved in advance.

Finally, Chandanotsavam remains one of the most important religious events in the region. It attracts lakhs of devotees every year. Moreover, the highlight of the festival is the removal of sandalwood paste, which reveals the deity’s Nijarupa.