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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.
United News of India
30-04-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Seven devotees killed as wall collapses on them
Visakhapatnam, Apr 30 (UNI) Seven devotees were killed and several others injured when a wall collapsed on them when they were standing in a queue to buy tickets at the famous hill shrine Simhachalam, near here, in the wee hours on Wednesday. Police said that a large number of devotees stood in the queue to buy the Rs 300 ticket to have the glimpse of deity Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy at the famous hill shrine on the devotional occasion Gandhamavasya. The deceased were identified as Patti Durga Swamy Naidu (32), Yedla Venkata Rao (48), Mummapatla Manikantha (28), Gujjari Mahalakshmi (65), Paila Venkata Ratnam (45) Pilla Umamaheshwara Rao (30) and Pilla Sailaja (26). Four of the deceased belonged to one family and they were Pilla Umamaheshwar Rao, a software engineer, his wife Pilla Sailaja, his mother Pilla Paila Venkataratnam and his aunt G Mahalakshmi. Official sources said that thousands of people started reaching the hill shrine after midnight and formed a long queue to buy special darshan tickets. Heavy rain accompanied by gales occurred at the temple resulting in a portion of a 20-foot-long wall caving on them. The injured were admitted to hospital where the condition of two of the injured is said to be critical. Home Minister V Anitha, District Collector MN Harendhira Prasad, Commissioner of police Shankabratha Bagchi, MP M Sribharat visited the scene of the accident. An SDRF team extricated the victims from the rubble and shifted them to hospitals. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed grief and shock over the death of seven devotees. He announced Rs 25 lakh ex gratia to each of the families of the deceased and Rs 3 lakh for the injured. He held a teleconference with the officials concerned and instructed them to provide the best medical treatment to the injured. The Chief Minister set up a three-member committee to conduct an inquiry into the incident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed shock over the incident. He said on social media: 'Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to the collapse of a wall in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon'. Governor of Andhra Pradesh S. Abdul Nazeer has expressed anguish and profound grief on the loss of seven lives due to the collapse of a wall while they were waiting in the queue line to have darshan of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy on the occasion of Chandanotsavam in the early hours on Wednesday. The Governor offered his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and directed the district administration to provide better medical care to the injured. UNI DP PRS
