Giri Pradakshana to start early day early due to eclipse

Visakhapatnam: Disappointed that the temple of Sri Varahalakshmi Nrusimha Swami of Simhachalam will be closed on July 16 because of the lunar eclipse, devotees have decided to complete Giri Pradakshana starting from July 15 and end it before 4 pm the next day before the temple closes.

Giri Pradakshana is one of the most auspicious mythological events in the north Andhra Region. And during this, devotees do a marathon walk to the temple on the Simhachalam hill.

Giri Pradakshana, is observed by devotees from the north coastal districts and also from Odisha on Aashada Pournima (mostly falls in July) and this year it is on July 16. As a part of the event, the devotees will walk from the bottom of the temple and around the Simhachalam temple hills covering about 32/38/42 km in three directions.

According to the popular belief, those who complete the walk around the Simhachalam hills, will be blessed with health and wealth by Lord Simhadri Appanna.

After breaking a coconut at the bottom of the hills, the devotees start the walk and complete it in three directions via Adavavivaram, Arilova, Hanumanthawaka, Kailasagiri, Jodugullapalem (after having a bath in the blue waters) and again start to walk via MVP Colony, HB Colony, Seethammadhara, Madhavadhara, NAD Junction, Gopalapatnam, Prahladapuram and return downhill before climbing the over 1,100 steps of the main hill of Lord. After darshan, the event is completed.

The Endowments department, revenue, police, fire, EPDCL and other line departments are making arrangements for the event.

During recent years, over three lakh devotees have participated in the Giri Pradakshana and this year too, the Simhachalam devasthanam expects over three lakh devotees to participate.