Visakhapatnam Temple Tragedy: 7 Dead, 4 Injured In Platform Collapse During Chandanotsavam Festival
#WATCH | Andhra Pradesh | Visuals from the Sri Varahalakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple in Visakhapatnam, where seven people died after a 20-foot-long stretch collapsed during the Chandanotsavam festival pic.twitter.com/q7CWB4vfJr
April 30, 2025
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Hans India
5 days ago
- Hans India
Consistent efforts to serve quality meals strike a chord with scores of devotees
Visakhapatnam: 'Annidanala kanna, annadanam minna' (serving food is considered as a great service compared to any other form of charity). And it is the same 'adage' the Simhachalam Devasthanam has been following without any compromise for the past 36 years. Along with darshan of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, Simhachalam Devasthanam reminds one of the flavourful 'annadanam' the temple serves to its devotees. The Devasthanam launched the 'Nitya Annadanam' scheme 36 years ago with a strong belief that 'Annadanam' is superior compared to any other service. In 1989, August 14, a group of temple employees donated Rs 50,000 to initiate the Nitya Annadanam scheme. Back then, the inauguration of the scheme was organised under the aegis of the then temple Executive Officer G.V. Narasimha Murthy. In 1989, the Devasthanam employees collected a total of Rs 50,000 as their first donation. The seed sown 36 years back reaped bountiful fruits over the years as the devotees' immense faith, deposits of crores of donations plus the interest earned on them resulted in an uninterrupted execution of Annadanam, satiating the hunger pangs of scores of devotees who arrive at the temple. Without compromising on quality standards, the scheme's focus has also been on consistent maintenance of the taste for decades. This is one of the main reasons for the scheme to become successful. Those who savoured the meal in the Devasthanam have one thing to convey, 'There is something 'divine' about the food served in Simhachalam Devasthanam as it is so flavourful.' As per the instructions of the temple's hereditary trustee and Goa Governor Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju, temple officials focused on improving the cleanliness and spiritual atmosphere of the temple surroundings and Annadanam Bhavanam premises. For the financial year of 2024-25, the deposit amount reached Rs 36.45 crore, while the interest earned on it is Rs 2.09 crore. With the interest accrued alone, Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy's Anna Prasadam scheme is being implemented in an uninterrupted manner. According to temple records, since the inception of the scheme, five donors donated Rs 10 lakh or more each. There are 1,217 donors, who have donated Rs 1 lakh and above. This year alone, more than one million devotees savoured the Anna Prasadam, informed Vendra Trinadha Rao, Executive Officer of the Devasthanam. On special occasions like 'Vaikuntha Ekadasi', annual Kalyanam, 'Chandannotsavam', 'Giri Pradakshina', special Anna Prasadam arrangements have been made additionally to lakhs of devotees. In coordination with Devasthanam assistant executive officer Vadrevu Ramana Murthy, supervising officer Paluri Narasinga Rao and the staff, steps have been taken to ensure quality food is served to the devotees in a hassle-free manner. As the Annaprasadam scheme enters its 37th year, the Executive Officer of the Devasthanam expressed his gratitude to the donors who continue to support the scheme.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Time of India
Lakhs take part in Simhachalam Giri Pradakshina
Visakhapatnam: Lakhs of devotees participated in the Giri Pradakshina of Simhachalam Temple, braving a 32 km journey around the Simhachalam hill on foot, mostly barefoot. The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) authorities used artificial intelligence-based facial recognition to count the number of devotees, which crossed two lakhs by late night. The annual festival of Lord Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy started after 2 pm, but devotees began their spiritual walk much before the god's chariot started its journey. The hereditary trustee, Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju, started the Giri Pradakshina chariot along with Bheemili MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao, Visakha West MLA Ganababu, and MPs M Sribharat, Kalisetti Appala Naidu. Around 125 kilos of Srigandham were offered to Lord Narasimha Swamy. For those unable to complete the 32 km Giri Pradakshina, the temple authorities provided Alaya Pradakshina at 3 am. The devotees, including the elderly, children, and women in large numbers, were seen taking part in the Pradakshina, chanting "Govinda" and filling the air with spiritual fervor. Many voluntary organizations extended their services by providing Anna Prasadam and snacks to thousands of devotees along the 32 km stretch. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Launch: 2/3/4 BHK Luxury in Panvel L&T Panvel Enquire Now Undo by Taboola by Taboola The Sri Satya Sai Seva organisation provided massages to relieve leg pains and offered milk, prasadam, and snacks to the devotees. The authorities made extensive arrangements, including 40 counters with 100 iron girders, 400 temporary toilets, and 120 permanent toilets. Lighting was provided in 32 dark places on the route with 750 lights. Medical camps, ambulances, and super-specialty medical teams were stationed along the stretch. Drinking water points, public address systems, control rooms, and other facilities were also arranged. However, traffic restrictions caused discomfort to commuters in the city, with many internal roads close to the Giri Pradakshina route closed. People in MVP Colony, Venkojipalem, HB Colony, and Seetammadhara area expressed anger due to the road closures.
The Hindu
06-07-2025
- The Hindu
GVMC to strictly implement ban on single-use plastic during Giri Pradakshina festival
Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) will continue to implement a strict ban on the usage of single-use plastic during the Giri Pradakshina festival, the annual ritual of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, scheduled for July 9. Ever since launching the 'Eco-Vizag' initiative in 2022, the GVMC has been spreading awareness on the use of single-use plastic. For the past few Giri Pradakshina festivals, plastic use was strictly banned. The authorities are taking steps to ensure this continues. This year, the district administration is expecting the participation of around five lakh devotees in the 'Giri Pradakshina', which starts on July 9 early morning. The corporation has already conducted a check along the 32-km trekking route and decided to set up 132 drinking water supply kiosks, one for every 200 metres. Besides the corporation, Simhachalam Devasthanam, a number of NGOs, resident welfare associations, welfare organisations, student organisations and volunteers are coming forward to set up drinking water, butter milk and food kiosks. The GVMC authorities have urged the RWAs, NGOs and other volunteers coming forward to the service to use only eco-friendly products to serve food or water. Chief Medical and Health Officer Naresh Kumar said the ban on single-use plastic will be strictly enforced during the festival. He clarified that, with the exception of buttermilk packets, all food and beverages should be served in eco-friendly alternatives such as paper cups, leaf plates or other sustainable materials. He added that regular water bottles sold in shops will not be restricted. Over 3,000 sanitation staff In view of the large congregation, around 3,000 sanitation staff are being deployed across the 32-km stretch of the Giri Pradakshina route. The staff are going to work on shifts and ensure the trekking route is clear. In the meanwhile, the corporation will also set up dustbins along the route and urge the public to utilise them.
