With SOPs in place, Simhachalam braces for most sought-after ‘Chandanotsavam’
Visakhapatnam: The most sought-after ‘Nijarupa Darshan’ of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple, the rarest and once-a-year opportunity to get to view the deity in its original form, is all set to be celebrated on April 20. Even as the state machinery prepares for a grand and hassle-free annual ‘Chandanotsavam’ festival, plans are in progress to facilitate smooth darshan for a sea of devotees expected to arrive in Simhachalam not just from across Andhra Pradesh but also from neighbouring states. Emphasising the need for seamless coordination and meticulous planning among concerned departments, Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, District In-charge Minister Dola Sree Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy, and Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha mentioned that all arrangements must strictly adhere to government-prescribed standard operating procedures, drawing from past experiences to eliminate any scope for inconvenience. In a review meeting held in Visakhapatnam with concerned officials, they stressed that SOPs have to be followed without deviation. Keeping the past experiences in view, they underlined that efforts are taken to ensure according top priority to common devotees.
Also, the ministers launched an online ticketing portal designed with the support of Andhra Pradesh Technology Services, making the process of securing darshan tickets simple and more accessible. While the first ticket was bought by the endowments minister, the portal will go live from Monday.
Concrete efforts considered for the annual festival reflect the vision of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who constituted a dedicated sub-committee of ministers to monitor the seamless execution of major religious events.
District Collector M Abhishikth Kishore appointed as the Special Officer, with additional reinforcement from the Endowments Commissioner K. Ramachandra Mohan as the in-charge Special Officer for the Chandanotsavam. With expected footfall exceeding 2 lakh this year, officials were directed to ensure uninterrupted darshan by implementing robust traffic management, synchronised departmental efforts and efficient queue systems to prevent overcrowding or delays for common devotees.
On April 20, VIP darshan will conclude by 5 a.m., after which general darshan will be facilitated with both free and ticket darshan options. Strict adherence to temple protocols, especially regarding Antaralaya Darshan, has been mandated. The district administration is leaving no stone unturned in prioritising safety and convenience of the devotees.
An army of volunteers will be deployed to regulate queues, while elaborate shelter arrangements, including sturdy pandals and German sheds, are being set up to counter unfavourable weather conditions. Departments such as police, revenue, and endowments will operate in shifts throughout the 20-hour-long event, ensuring round-the-clock vigilance and service.
Considering the lapses witnessed in previous editions, public representatives, including MLAs PGVR Naidu (Ganababu), P Vishnu Kumar Raju, CH Vamsi Krishna Srinivas Yadav and Palla Srinivasa Rao, among others gave suggestions to the committee members for a smooth festival conduct.
