VISAKHAPATNAM: The authorities of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Devasthanam (SVLNSD), with the support of police and other government officials, have made elaborate arrangements for the auspicious ‘Giri Pradakshina’ annual event which is scheduled to be held on July 26 afternoon.
The district administration arranged tight security by deploying 2,000 additional police personnel in and around the city and along the 32-km ‘Giri Pradakshina’ trekking path.
The authorities expect around 10 lakh pilgrims to turn up for the event. Last year, around eight lakh devotees attended the event. HRD Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao, along with the SVLNSD hereditary trustee and Vizianagaram MP P Ashok Gajapathi Raju and SVLNSD EO K Ramachandra Mohan, will kick-start the ‘Giri Pradakshina’ festival by flagging off the ‘Giri Pradakshina flower chariot’ after offering special poojas to Lord Narasimhaswamy at the starting point of the trekking path (Tholi Paavancha) at around 2 pm on Thursday. Devotees will follow the chariot all through the trek round the hill. And, it will return to the hill shrine by around 10 pm on the same day.
Devasthanam authorities advised the pilgrims to have darshan before starting for the ‘Giri Pradakshina’ as the following day (Friday) happens to be ‘Ashaadha Pournami’ and lunar eclipse and because of which the temple will be closed by 12 noon and will be reopened for the devotees and general public at around 7 am on the following day i.e., Saturday after the traditional Suddhi/Samprokshna rituals.
‘Giri Pradakshina’ starts at 2 pm on Thursday from the ‘Toli Paavancha’ at the foothills of the Simhachalam and proceeds to Adavivaram - Central Jail - Mudasarlova Lake - Hanumanthuwaka jn.- Jodugullapalem (holy dip at the sea), then through Old Venkojipalem- HB Colony- Balayya Sastry Layout - Saalagramapuram - Madhavadhara- NSTL- NAD- Gopalapatnam- Prahladapuram- Old Gowsaala- and Simhachalam.