Simhachalam Temple Prepares for Chandanotsavam on April 20

Visakhapatnam: Simhachalam Devasthanam has started preparations to ensure smooth conduct of the annual Chandanotsavam scheduled to be held on April 20 at the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple.

Executive officer J. Venkatarao, who chaired the Simhachalam Devasthanam Coordination Committee meeting, said the shortcomings of previous years will be reviewed and a comprehensive plan focusing on the convenience of devotees will be implemented.

He highlighted measures such as issuance of VIP tickets through banks linked to mobile numbers, QR code scanning at entry points to ease access and reducing the number of buses, especially AC buses, to minimize congestion. Five queuing lines with emergency exits every 100 metres, adequate lighting, mobile toilets, drinking water facilities and special arrangements for the elderly and disabled were proposed.

Medical camps, temporary hospital and ambulance services will be organized, and NDRF and SDRF teams will be assigned for security. A command control room with CCTV monitoring and officers from all departments will oversee operations. The hilltop shops and lower temples will remain closed on the festival day.

Construction work will be completed by the end of March and all arrangements will be completed by April 17. Officials from health, transport, police, electricity, revenue, GVMC and RTC departments attended the meeting.