All Set for Simhadri Appanna Chandanotsavam

The Andhra Pradesh government is making comprehensive arrangements to conduct the annual Chandanotsavam of Lord Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy at the renowned Simhachalam temple in Visakhapatnam with grandeur and devotion .

Ahead of the festival scheduled on April 20 (Monday) , State Ministers Dola Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy and Anam Ramanarayana Reddy held a high-level review meeting at the Visakhapatnam Collectorate on Saturday. They directed officials to remain vigilant and ensure that devotees do not face any inconvenience, drawing lessons from past experiences.

Explaining the significance of the festival, Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy issued key instructions. He said the District Collector has been appointed as the in-charge officer , while the Endowments Commissioner will act as the supervisory authority. District In-charge Minister Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy will personally monitor the arrangements.

He clarified that general public viewing will be stopped from 7 pm on April 19 , and necessary steps have been taken as per protocol for the government to present ceremonial silk garments to the deity.

With an estimated 1.5 lakh devotees expected to attend the Chandanotsavam, MLA Palla Srinivasa Rao said strict measures are being implemented to prevent overcrowding or stampedes. Learning from last year’s issues, authorities have deployed a large number of police personnel and volunteers .

Officials emphasised that devotees must strictly follow the time slot mentioned on their tickets . It has been observed that even those with evening viewing slots tend to arrive in the morning, leading to heavy congestion in queue lines.

Special timings have been allocated for elderly and differently-abled devotees , and everyone has been urged to arrive only during their assigned slot.

To ensure comfort, ministers instructed officials to arrange drinking water, buttermilk distribution , temporary shelters for protection from heat, and improved transport facilities to Simhagiri. The meeting was attended by the District Collector, Police Commissioner, and Endowments Department officials.

During his Visakhapatnam tour, Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy visited the Sri Satyanarayana Swamy temple at Annavaram on Sunday. As part of temple development, he inaugurated the second stepway constructed from the local toll gate to the Centenary Cottage.

After offering prayers, Vedic scholars blessed the Minister. He reiterated the government’s commitment to providing enhanced facilities for devotees . Local MLA Satyaprabha , Endowments Commissioner Ramachandra Mohan , temple chairman, and other officials were present on the occasion.