Latest news with #NijaroopaDarshanam
New Indian Express
01-05-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Thousands witness Nijaroopa Darshanam at Simhachalam during Chandanotsavam
VISAKHAPATNAM: The annual Chandanotsavam festival was observed with traditional fervour at the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple in Simhachalam on Wednesday. Celebrated on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, Chandanotsavam is the only day in the year when devotees are allowed to have the Nijaroopa Darshanam of the deity, as the thick layer of sandalwood paste covering the idol is ceremoniously removed. Despite intermittent rainfall, thousands of devotees from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, and neighbouring states gathered to witness the Nijaroopa Darshanam, where the deity was presented without the customary layer of sandalwood paste. As per temple tradition, hereditary trustee P Ashok Gajapathi Raju, along with his family, participated in the early morning rituals and offered silk vastrams to the deity. Temple Executive Officer K Subbarao received the trustee's family and extended temple honours. Revenue Minister Anagani Satya Prasad, along with priests from the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), also presented silk robes and offered prayers on behalf of the State government. The first darshan was given to the hereditary trustee's family at around 3.30 am, after which general devotees were allowed into the queue lines. Earlier, rituals including Suprabhatam Seva, Viswaksena Puja, Punyavachanam, Ritwikvaranam, Panchakalavahanam, and Chananottaram were conducted from 1 am onwards.
New Indian Express
01-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Andhra temple wall collapse: Construction done in haste for Chandanotsavam, sources say
VISAKHAPATNAM: The tragic incident at the Simhachalam temple during the annual Chandanotsavam on Wednesday, has sparked widespread public anger and criticism. A The wall, reportedly built just five days prior to the annual festival, gave way following a spell of moderate rain. Thousands of devotees had gathered at the hilltop temple for 'Nijaroopa Darshanam' of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy. Families of the victims and eyewitnesses alleged serious negligence in the construction, and oversight of festival arrangements. The structure was part of the ongoing PRASAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) Scheme, for which the Ministry of Tourism had sanctioned `54.04 crore in December 2022 for development works at Simhachalam Devasthanam. The project is being executed by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation. Tourism Regional Director Subramanyam confirmed that tenders had been called for the works by the Tourism Department, but declined to disclose the contractor's name. However, sources claimed that the contract was awarded to a firm named K Anantha Rao and Co, based in Srikakulam. 'The wall in question was reportedly constructed in haste five days ago, and was asked to be completed before Chandanotsavam,' sources claimed. Outside the King George Hospital mortuary in Visakhapatnam, grieving families of the victims demanded accountability from politicians, officials, and the temple authorities. 'This was not a case of torrential rain. Water runoff from the hilltop seems to have undermined the weak foundation of the wall,' family members of the deceased alleged. 'We demand permanent government jobs, not outsourcing, and `1 crore ex gratia for each victim. The government cannot brush off its negligence with mere announcements,' they said. They further questioned the role of ministers who were reportedly assigned to oversee Chandanotsavam arrangements. 'How did they miss inspecting a newly constructed wall? What kind of oversight was this?' asked devotees waiting in the queue after the untoward incident. Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha, who was at the site since morning, told the media, 'I have personally inspected the queue lines two to three days ago. The incident is extremely unfortunate. An inquiry will be conducted to identify the contractor, engineer, and quality evaluator involved in the wall construction. All those responsible will be held accountable.' Anitha stated that despite all precautions taken by the temple authorities, the tragedy still occurred. 'A three-member committee has already been formed to probe the reasons behind the accident. Once the committee submits its report, legal action will be taken against those found responsible for negligence,' she added.
New Indian Express
01-05-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Andhra temple wall collapse: Pilgrimage becomes a nightmare at Simhachalam
VISAKHAPATNAM: What began as a deeply spiritual day for thousands of devotees, turned into a nightmare at the Simhachalam Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple, as a A pall of gloom descended on the mortuary premises at King George Hospital in Visakhapatnam as grieving families of the Simhachalam temple wall collapse victims struggled to come to terms with the tragedy. Seven devotees, including a young techie couple and their relatives, lost their lives while waiting for 'Nijaroopa Darshanam' of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy. Among the deceased were Pilla Umamaheswara Rao (30) and his wife Shailaja (27), natives of Chandrampalem village in Madhurawada. Both were software professionals employed in Hyderabad, and had returned to their hometown to work remotely. They were accompanied by Shailaja's mother, P Venkata Ratna (45), and aunt, G Mahalakshmi (65), who also died in the incident. The family had arrived early at the temple and were waiting in the Rs 300 ticket queue when the wall collapsed around 3.15 am reportedly due to heavy rain. The other victims were identified as Pathi Durga Prasad Naidu (27), an architect from Konaseema district residing in Visakhapatnam; his friend K Manikantha (28) from Konaseema; and Y Venkat Rao (45) from Visakhapatnam. Rescue operations were immediately launched by the NDRF, police, and temple authorities. According to preliminary reports, the collapse occurred during the rainfall, but an official inquiry is underway to determine the structural integrity of the wall. Family members of the deceased demanded a thorough investigation into the construction of the wall. 'Four members of our family died because of the poor construction of the wall. Who will take responsibility for our family? We are demanding action against the contractor and the engineer responsible,' said relatives of the deceased couple outside KGH. They also urged the government to announce an ex gratia of Rs 1 crore, and provide a government job to a family member of the victims. 'We will not allow postmortem unless the government responds to our demands,' they added. They further said, 'Those responsible for the collapse must be held accountable. Accountability must be ensured so that such a tragedy does not happen again.' Wall collapse claims lives of two friends Among the seven lives lost in the tragic wall collapse, were 32-year-old Pathi Durga Prasad Naidu, an architect based in Visakhapatnam, and his friend, 29-year-old K Manikanta. A native of Korlapativaripalem village, Prasad had been living in Visakhapatnam for the past four to five years, where he had established his own architectural firm, New Diamond Interiors. He had attended Chandanotsavam along with Manikanta. 'He was full of life, always cheerful, and had big dreams for his future. It is heartbreaking for all of us who knew him to see such a vibrant young man found lifeless in the mud. It's something we are struggling to come to terms with,' said Navya Sree, a close family friend of Prasad. 'He was a deeply spiritual person, and he always cared for everyone around him,' she told TNIE . Authorities identified Prasad and Manikanta using Aadhaar details provided during the Rs 300 ticket purchase. His family was notified soon after. She further shared that visible injuries were found on Prasad's head and nose. 'He was found in a mix of cement. We were told that heavy rain and wind caused a tent to collapse first, which then brought down the wall,' Navya explained. Prasad is survived by his parents and a sister. The incident occurred between 2.30 and 3.30 am near the Rs 300 darshan queue line. Authorities suspect torrential rains triggered the wall collapse, though an investigation is still underway.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
Significance of ‘Nijaroopa Darshanam' of Lord Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy
1 2 Visakhapatnam: Seven people lost their lives when a wall collapsed during the annual Chandanotsavam at Lord Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple in Simhachalam. ThE unfortunate incident has renewed public attention on this age-old celebration at the famed temple. Chandanotsavam, observed annually on Akshaya Tritiya , is one of the most significant festivals dedicated to Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, the presiding deity of Simhachalam. It draws lakhs of devotees not only from across Andhra Pradesh but also from neighbouring states like Odisha and Telangana. On this auspicious day, devotees gather in large numbers for a rare opportunity to witness the ' Nijaroopa Darshanam ' — the true, unadorned form of the Lord, which is revealed to the public for about 15 hours in the entire year. Traditionally, the idol of Lord Narasimha Swamy is covered in a thick coating of chandanam (sandalwood paste) throughout the year, symbolising coolness, serenity, and the containment of the deity's intense energy. The origin of this tradition is rooted in local legend, which narrates that the deity's fierce form was once deemed too overwhelming for daily worship. To make His presence more approachable, it was decided that a cooling, fragrant layer of sandalwood paste would be applied, masking his intense expression. The ritual of Chandanotsavam is intricate and spiritually profound. A week prior to Akshaya Tritiya, elaborate special pujas are performed, where the process of preparing the sacred paste begins. The paste is made from pure sandalwood blended with over 60 varieties of herbs and aromatic substances, ensuring its sanctity and therapeutic quality. On the eve of Akshaya Tritiya, temple priests ceremoniously remove the aged sandalwood paste. The sacred act is followed by the 'Sahasra Ghatabhishekam', a ritual bath involving water brought from the Gangadhara spring on the Simhachalam hill, accompanied by the resonant chanting of Vedic hymns. It is during this phase that devotees are blessed with the divine darshan of the Lord's original form, an experience believed to cleanse the soul. In the evening, a fresh layer of sandalwood paste is re-applied, completing the annual cycle of spiritual renewal. The ritual marks the deity's return to his veiled, compassionate form till the next Akshaya Tritiya. The Lord is offered the paste in four stages in a year, including the first one on Akshaya Tritiya day. M Sundara Rao, a teacher who participated in Chandanotsavam on Wednesday, said it has become a practice for lakhs of people to witness the Nijarupa Darshana every year. "People believe it will provide them with religious merit and cleanse their souls," he said.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
Techie couple among 7 killed as wall collapses at Andhra Pradesh temple during festival
VISAKHAPATNAM: A techie couple were among seven devotees killed after a newly constructed wall collapsed at the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple in Simhachalam during the annual Chandanotsavam festival on Wednesday. The deceased software employees, Pilla Umamaheswara Rao (30) and his wife P Sailaja, were based in Hyderabad and had been working remotely from home. The incident occurred following a 40-minute spell of heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds. Officials confirmed that the incident happened around 3am when a newly constructed 25-foot-long wall gave way, burying devotees who had queued for the Nijaroopa Darshanam of Lord Varaha Narasimha Swamy. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and police teams concluded rescue operations by morning, confirming seven deaths and one injury. Earlier reports had estimated the death toll at eight. The deceased have been identified as K. Mandikantha Eswara Sesha Rao (29) from Ambajipeta, Yedla Venkata Rao (58), HCL employee Pilla Umamaheswara Rao (30), his wife Pilla Sailaja (29), her mother Venkata Ratnam (45), and G Mahalakshmi (65). One devotee, Praveen, was injured and is currently receiving treatment. Sources indicated that the wall, which was part of recent construction, collapsed due to poor structural integrity — allegedly built with excessive sand and inadequate cement. This is the first time the centuries-old Chandanotsavam festival has witnessed fatalities, although stampedes have occurred in past editions. Chief minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, who held an urgent teleconference with senior officials, ministers, and temple hereditary trustee Poosapati Ashok Gajapati Raju, announced a compensation of Rs 25 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 3 lakh for the injured. He also directed officials to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured and promised government jobs within the Endowments Department for the bereaved families. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and sanctioned an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for each of the deceased's families and Rs 50,000 for the injured. Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan also extended his sympathies to those affected by the tragedy.
