Ahead of ‘Giri Pradakshina,' some temporary tents fall flat at Simhachalam
According to the temple officials, the incident happened while levelling the ground with an excavator. In the process, the vehicle got in contact with some of the poles, collapsing the tents erected with their support.
Recently, the Simhachalam Devasthanam engaged a contractor to install the tents for the festival. The exercise has been in progress for the past few days.
Lakhs of devotees are expected to take part in 'Giri Pradakshina' covering a 32-km stretch. Traditionally, the trek commences from 'Tholipavancha' downhill where people break coconuts, marking their onward journey. To provide convenience to those arriving at Tholipavancha, the temple authorities erected temporary tents. But, some of them gave away while installing as they came in contact with the excavator that was on the move. Fortunately, no one was hurt in the incident as people were not present at that point of time. For the past few days, the city has been witnessing rain. Every year, it rains during 'Giri Pradakshina.'
However, keeping the tents' collapse in view, the temple officials decided to get rid of all of them and take measures to ensure that the major festival is organised incident-free. This year, Giri Pradakshina is scheduled on July 9. As part of it, lakhs of devotees are expected to circumambulate the hill on 'Aashada pournami.' It may be recalled that a wall collapsed during 'Chandanotsavam', claiming seven lives.
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Hans India
2 days ago
- Hans India
Ahead of ‘Giri Pradakshina,' some temporary tents fall flat at Simhachalam
Visakhapatnam: Even as arrangements for the annual festival 'Giri Pradakshina' at Simhachalam are going on in full swing, some of the tents facilitated temporarily gave away on Saturday. In order to provide shelter to devotees arriving for the festival, the Devasthanam installed temporary tents with the support of iron poles. However, some of them gave away, resulting in the flattening of a few tents. According to the temple officials, the incident happened while levelling the ground with an excavator. In the process, the vehicle got in contact with some of the poles, collapsing the tents erected with their support. Recently, the Simhachalam Devasthanam engaged a contractor to install the tents for the festival. The exercise has been in progress for the past few days. Lakhs of devotees are expected to take part in 'Giri Pradakshina' covering a 32-km stretch. Traditionally, the trek commences from 'Tholipavancha' downhill where people break coconuts, marking their onward journey. To provide convenience to those arriving at Tholipavancha, the temple authorities erected temporary tents. But, some of them gave away while installing as they came in contact with the excavator that was on the move. Fortunately, no one was hurt in the incident as people were not present at that point of time. For the past few days, the city has been witnessing rain. Every year, it rains during 'Giri Pradakshina.' However, keeping the tents' collapse in view, the temple officials decided to get rid of all of them and take measures to ensure that the major festival is organised incident-free. This year, Giri Pradakshina is scheduled on July 9. As part of it, lakhs of devotees are expected to circumambulate the hill on 'Aashada pournami.' It may be recalled that a wall collapsed during 'Chandanotsavam', claiming seven lives.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- The Hindu
Officials review preparations for ‘Giri Pradakshina' festival in Visakhapatnam on July 9
District Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad has directed officials to make comprehensive arrangements for the upcoming Giri Pradakshina, the annual festival of Simhachalam Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, scheduled on July 9. He stressed on ensuring a smooth experience for the lakhs of devotees expected to take part in the event without any inconvenience. He along with and Police Commissioner Shankabratha Bagchi, Joint Collector Ashok Mayur and officials from the Revenue Department and Simhachalam Devasthanam, inspected the 32-kilometre trek route on Tuesday. Later, a review meeting was held at the Collectorate to discuss important aspects including traffic management, queue lines, police bandobast, public address systems and security checkposts. The Collector issued strict instructions to prevent any stampede-like situations and stressed the need for complete police bandobast. Keeping in view of the large number of devotees, he directed the authorities to make proper arrangements for adequate number of toilets, drinking water, sanitation workers, street lighting, and medical camps. In addition to bio-toilets, he asked officials to ensure devotees utilise facilities at Kalyana Mandapams and schools along the trek route. He also proposed setting up holding points for pilgrims to rest during the journey. Mr. Harendhira Prasad instructed officials to deploy swimmers at Appughar Beach, where many devotees take a holy dip. He also ordered the closure of liquor outlets along the trek path on July 9 and 10. Mr Harendhira Prasad said that they will also make use of a special app for devotees to request medical or other urgent assistance. He also mentioned that the 'Astram' app would be used by the police for real-time traffic monitoring. Meanwhile, GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg, along with officials from GVMC and the Simhachalam Devasthanam, conducted an inspection of the Giri Pradakshina route. He instructed Chief City Planner Prabhakar Rao and Engineering Department officials to intensify pending road development and widening works, particularly along the stretch from Narasimha Nagar through Lakshmi Nagar to Gopalapatnam, including the Hanumanthawaka Junction.
The Hindu
6 days ago
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Reduce costs and increase income, Visakhapatnam District Public Transportation Officer tells RTC officials
District Public Transportation Officer (DPTO) B. Appalanaidu has called upon RTC officers and staff to take steps to increase the income of the corporation apart from providing better services to the public and reducing consumption of diesel. The DPTO held a review meeting with the officials and supervisors from the district, here on Tuesday. Mr. Appalanaidu also directed the officials and supervisors to take extra care to ensure that the buses were in proper condition during the forthcoming 'Giri pradakshina' at Simhachalam on July 9 in which thousands of devotees were expected to participate. He said that 'point duties' were assigned to the staff to prevent any inconvenience to devotees and for traffic regulation during the 'Giri pradakshina' festival. Deputy Chief Mechanical Engineer K. Rajasekhar, Deputy Chief Traffic Manager K. Padmavathi, Depot Managers, Assistant Traffic Manager, Personnel Officer, Accounts Officer, Traffic and Mechanical Supervisors participated in the meeting.
