Devotional walk from July 30
The stage is set for the annual Giri Pradakshina
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2015-07-29 07:34 GMT
Visakhapatnam: The stage is set for the annual “Giri Pradakshina”, a 35-km walk around the Simhachalam temple following which the pilgrims will have darshan of Lord Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, on July 30.
The giri pradakshina starts at the foothills of Simhachalam and winds its way via Adavivaram, Arilova, Jail Road, Hanumanthavaka, Madhavadhara, NAD junction and returns to the Simhachalam temple. About two lakh pilgrims participated in the walk in the last two years.
Officials at a high-level meeting held in Simhachalam reviewed the arrangements made for this annual event. Temple executive officer K. Ramachandra Mohan said that the chariot decorated with flowers will be formally inaugurated by the hereditary trustee, Pusapati Anand Gajapathi Raju and HRD minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao on July 30.
“We will allow devotes until 11 pm on July 30 to get darshan and it starts from 5 am on July 31. We will provide annadana prasadam to about 25,000 devotees on July 31,” Mr Mohan said.
More than 300 police personnel would be deployed to provide security for the giri pradakshina. CCTV cameras would be installed along the route, said DCP Ramgopal Naik. Restrictions have been placed on vehicle movement and the sale of liquor.