Thu Mar 20 05:33:43 UTC 2025: ## Simhachalam Temple Gears Up for Chandanotsavam Festival
**Visakhapatnam, March 20, 2025** – The annual Chandanotsavam festival at the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Devasthanam temple in Simhachalam, scheduled for April 30th, is set to draw thousands of devotees. District Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad chaired a review meeting on Wednesday, outlining plans to ensure a smooth and organized event.
Strict measures are being implemented to manage the large crowds. Devotees will be granted darshan based on pre-allocated time slots. Access to the Antaralayam (inner sanctum) will be highly restricted, limited to hereditary trustees, those presenting silk robes from Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), Supreme and High Court judges, and donors for one hour between 3:30 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. A decision on VIP access after 4:30 a.m. will be made following further discussions with state officials. Darshan will cease at 6 p.m. on April 29th.
To facilitate darshan, numerous ticket counters will be opened across the city, with tickets priced at ₹1,500, ₹1,000, and ₹300, each bearing holograms and watermarks. Authorities plan to minimize private vehicle access to the hilltop temple to avoid overcrowding, encouraging the use of public transport. The number of vehicle passes will be strictly controlled, and adequate bus services will be provided. Furthermore, the establishment of a permanent police outpost on the hilltop is being pursued.
The meeting included representatives from the police department, temple administration, GVMC, EPDCL, Transport Department, RTC, and Revenue departments.
First Piper 