News/City Updates

Simhachalam Devasthanam calls off Giri Pradakshina 2020 amid COVID-19

Giri Pradakshina, the annual festival conducted at Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple at Simhachalam, Visakhapatnam, has been called off for the year 2020 year amid the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Andhra Pradesh.

Being one of the biggest yearly events in Visakhapatnam district, the procession attracts a huge number of devotees every year. Giri Pradakshina 2020 was originally slated to be held on 4 July, followed by the devotees donating chandanam

to the deity on the occasion of Ashada pournami (full moon). However, owing to the spurt in the number of COVID-19 cases, the Simhachalam Devasthanam has decided to cancel the festivities. In line with the orders issued by the temple authorities, Assistant Commissioner of Police (West Sub-division) of Visakhapatnam (City), G Swaruparani, requested the public not to visit the temple for Giri Pradakshina. She further urged the devotees to adhere to the rules and co-operate with the police.

This event comprises of the procession (devotees) walking around the Simhachalam

Hill, Visakhapatnam. Giri Pradakshina is a 32 km trek which starts from Toli Pavancha, at the Simhachalam Temple steps at the entrance of the hill. It then proceeds through Adavivaram, Mudasarlova, Hanumanthavaka Junction, Visalakshinagar, Jodugullapalem, Appu Ghar, MVP Colony Double Road, Venkojipalem, HB Colony, Port Stadium, DLB Quarters, Muralinagar, Madhavadhara, NSTL, Gopalapatnam, Prahladapuram, Gosala, before returning to the Toli Pavancha. Finally, the procession will trek up the steps for the scheduled darshan of the deity.

Earlier in April, another annual celebration at Simhachalam Temple- Chandanotsavam- was held without allowing any devotees into the premises of the temple, as an effective measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19. An intimate ceremony was performed with temple priests and staff marking their presence. However, the Simhachalam Devasthanam facilitated a live transmission of the ceremony on YouTube.

Share
Leave a Comment

Recent Posts

Lawyers promise legal support to gangrape victim

Lawyers in Visakhapatnam staged a dharna in front of the district court on 22 November…

36 mins ago

India’s largest convention centre will come up in Visakhapatnam: Nara Lokesh

During the AP Assembly session on 21 November 2024, IT and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh…

2 hours ago

2nd Infosys campus to new data units: Lokesh shares 5 key IT developments in Visakhapatnam

Andhra Pradesh's IT and HRD Minister, Nara Lokesh, has revealed a series of exciting IT…

3 hours ago

Badamgir Sai passes away

Noted stage artiste and founder of Rangasai Nataka Sangam and Rangasai Nataka Grandhalayam, AVVS Murthy,…

4 hours ago

What Are The New Releases on OTT Today? Here’s What to Add to Your Watchlist

A slew of fresh and exciting OTT releases are dropping today, promising a binge-worthy lineup…

19 hours ago

Hot & Hearty: The best soups in Visakhapatnam that complements this weather!

With the weather taking a turn these past couple of days, it’s like Visakhapatnam has…

20 hours ago